Divorce has a reputation of being very costly to all parties involved. Between paying for the right attorney to court fees, the price can be quite high. But there is some mystery surrounding the actual cost of a divorce. Many people may not know how expensive this process is and might wonder how big of a check they’ll need to write at the end.
Divorce Expenses
There are various expenses that factor into the total cost of a divorce. However, the largest expense is usually your attorney. The cost of an attorney varies but most charge an hourly rate. A good divorce attorney can make the process a lot easier because they can explain all your legal options, handle paperwork and filing, advocate for your best interests and help settle disputes.
There are several other factors that can affect how pricey your divorce will be such as:
- Local filing fees
- Alimony
- Child custody
While these individual factors can vary the total cost of your divorce, the national average price of a divorce, according to The New York Times is about $15,000.
Other Tips For Reducing Costs
This is a pretty high price tag, but there are ways you can mitigate the overall cost and avoid mistakes such as:
- Consider alternatives — such as mediation or uncontested divorce
- Disclose everything – there are severe penalties for hiding assets
- Be patient – rushing the process can lead to costly problems down the road
Divorce is expensive, in more ways than one, but making smart decisions can save you valuable time and money in the long run.
