The average cost of a divorce in Arizona is about $20,000 with prices ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 in Arizona, according to multiple sources. However, your actual divorce costs depend on the type of divorce process you choose. A contested divorce, in court, will cost you an average of $75,000. Furthermore, the cost of divorce with a lawyer can range anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000 per spouse when including fees for expert witnesses. Hiring a divorce lawyer in Arizona, especially Phoenix or Scottsdale, can cost as much as $550 per hour. The average cost of uncontested divorce options such as divorce mediation or collaborative divorce is about $7,500. DIY divorce in Arizona will only cost you about $620.
*Disclaimer – These fees are always changing, and this is not an actual quote. If you need an experienced divorce lawyer contact Moshier Law to start your initial consultation.
What is the Average Cost of Divorce in Arizona?
The average cost of Divorce in Arizona depends on the divorce process you choose. See below for a list of costs associated with different divorce processes:
- Divorce Lawyer Arizona Cost: $25,000 to $100,000
- Contested Divorce Cost: $15,000 to $30,000
- Uncontested Divorce Cost: $620 to $7,500
- Divorce Mediation Cost: $7,500
- Collaborative Divorce Cost: $7,500
- DIY Divorce Cost in Arizona: $620
- Legal Separation Cost in Arizona: $1,000 to $100,000
- Arizona Attorneys’ Fees: $250 to $750 per hour ($10,300 average)
How Much Does A Divorce Lawyer Cost In Arizona?
As an example, here are details about the average cost of a divorce lawyer in Scottsdale. In the Scottsdale area, family lawyers charge between $250 to $550 per hour as an average. The average cost of hiring a divorce lawyer is about $10,300. If you want a lawyer with a wealth of experience, this can run up to $400 to $750 per hour. There may also be other fees for services like:
- Drafting Letters
- Printing Documents
- Mailing
- Stamps
- Travel Time
- And more.
After attorneys there may be other costs you will be expected to pay should they be required. Examples would include:
- Outside Expert Witnesses
- Mental Health Expert Services
- Real Estate Appraisers
- Business Accountant Services
- And more.
Of course not all divorce cases need expert witnesses or expert reports. The expert fees can be meaningful however if two people with significant real property or shared business get a divorce. When including expert fees the total cost of some divorces can range from $25,000 to $100,000 per spouse. Learn more about Divorce In Arizona
According to Nolo, consumers who went to trial for divorce spent about $19.600 in total costs with $15,800 in divorce attorney fees. On the other hand, consumers who settled their issues only spent about $14,500 in total costs with only $12,200 spent on attorney fees. Consumers reported spending about $250 per hour to hire a divorce attorney. The average divorce took about 10.7 months to complete. Lawyers.com says the average divorce in Arizona costs about $13,000, with $10,300 of that total being spent on attorneys’ fees.
How Much Does Contested Divorce Cost In Arizona?
A contested divorce is the most expensive of all. On average, a contested divorce in Arizona costs about $15,000 with prices ranging from $2,500 to $30,000 or more in 2019 according to multiple sources. According to BestLegalChoices, “You can expect a straightforward divorce in Arizona with court proceedings to average around $5,000 to $10,000. If you have a higher net worth or property that is to be divided it will cost more. And for couples who simply cannot come to an agreement and need a judge to decide, costs could reach as high as $50,000 or more“. Legal fees for a contested divorce are so expensive because attorneys will likely be highly engaged in the discovery process. Read more about contested divorce costs.
How Much Does An Uncontested Divorce Cost in Arizona?
If certain conditions are met, divorces do not go to trial. If the material terms of the separation are agreed upon by the divorcing spouses, or if one spouse chooses not to contest the divorce, then the case does not have to go to trial. Accordingly, the costs will be far less. A Petition for Dissolution of Marriage can be filed at the court by the divorcing couple. Depending on the county, the court will charge between $300 and $400 in filing fees – thus making the average cost of an uncontested divorce in Arizona around $620, not inclusive of attorney or lawyer fees.
If the two parties amicably divorce at this point and assuming they can paper their own divorce, only court fees will have to be paid. If legal assistance is required by the couple, legal fees will be charged by the hour. Some couples prefer to hire a mediator and legal counsel. Mediators usually charge rates that are like those of attorneys. All things considered; the uncontested divorce fees are far less in comparison to the cost of litigation that is contested. If you are planning a divorce, an amicable separation from your spouse is the way to go. Otherwise, you will have to be willing to pay considerably more for lawyers to handle the situation. *This information is not intended to be legal advice. You can contact Moshier Law today to learn more about your unique situation.
How Much Does Collaborative Divorce Cost in Arizona?
The average cost of a collaborative divorce in Arizona is $7,500. The average cost of collaborative divorce according to Equitable Mediation is about $5,000 to $10,000. That said, Moshier Law has gone through many divorce collaborations costing far less than $10,000 in legal fees per spouse. This is far removed from the costs of contested litigation in the court that can often rack up costs of tens of thousands of dollars per spouse. Collaborative Divorce in Arizona
How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost in Arizona?
The average costs of divorce mediation in Arizona are $7,500. Divorce mediation costs in Arizona ranged from $5,000 to $10,000 in 2019.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost if Both Parties Agree?
Typically, spouses who can agree to divorce terms would use divorce mediation or collaborative divorce options. The average cost of a divorce if both parties agree is about $7,500.
How Much Does it Cost to File for Divorce in Arizona?
The average cost to file for a divorce in Arizona is about $620, according to Canterbury Law Group, “The cost to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Maricopa County is $349. The responding party will be required to pay $279 when filing their Response, or if both parties have agreed to a Consent Decree, the $279 is still due and owing from the responding party when tendering a consent decree for the court approval.“
How Much Does a Legal Separation Cost in Arizona?
The average cost of legal separation cost in Arizona ranges from $1,000 to $100,000 according to Sapling.com. Costs on the higher end are usually a result of a highly contested divorce that involves child custody and marital estate battles.
Arizona Divorce Attorney Fees
One party in a divorce may petition to their appointed judge, to direct the payment of that party’s attorney fees, by the other. The court can order attorneys’ fees paid when each party is represented by counsel, or when the party is requested to pay was not represented. This part is important — unintended delays and errors and caused by the pro se litigant can end in the award of the other party’s legal fees sustained in having to deal with those oversights.
In the state of Arizona, A.R.S. § 25-324 permits for payment of attorneys’ fees in divorce cases. In some instances, the court has authority to grant attorneys’ fees against a party.
In determining an award fee, the court impartially evaluates the validity of both parties’ legal positions throughout the divorce proceedings. The personal intentions of the spouse being petitioned to pay is not a factor in the court’s decision. Nor is the party’s lack of understanding of family law court proceedings, divorce law, and local regulations. The court will take into account the financial means of each party, not just those of the party is requested to pay. Additionally, the court will examine the parties’ financial differences, the individual fees owed in comparison to each party’s assets, and so forth.
In three different circumstances, the court “shall” award attorneys’ fees against a party:
- The party filed the petition in bad faith.
- The party’s petition was filed for a “subjective purpose, such as to harass the other party, to cause a needless delay or to increase the cost of litigation to the other party.”
- The party’s request wasn’t grounded in the fact or in law.
Along with the attorneys’ fees, the court may also grant deposition fees and other expenses incurred in litigation and following any appeal. If the court determines that the money gets paid directly to the asking party’s attorney, then the order will be enforced by that attorney.
Additional Costs Of Divorce In Arizona
In Maricopa County, the cost to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is $349. When filing their response, the responding party must pay a fee of $279 when they tender a decree of consent for the approval of the court. There may be additional fees and charges for the following:
- Attorney Fees
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims
- Monthly Child Support
- Monthly Spousal Maintenance
- The Division of Debt and Property
- Waste Claims For Reimbursement
- And more.
Obtaining a divorce in Arizona is often a costly experience when people do not use collaborative law. Undoubtedly, a contested divorce where proceedings are protracted is more expensive than an uncontested divorce. Although rates are not set, it is possible to get an approximate cost based on historical averages of what is spent on cases by divorcees. Some estimates suggest the average divorce case can cost in excess of the price of a new car. Generally, most people do not spend more than $10,000 per partner. Most people do not realize right away that costs will not only depend on the fees from your attorney but from other expenses as well. Divorces that go to trial will also have additional third-party expenses for things like:
- Depositions
- Business Appraiser
- Forensic Accountants
- Child Custody Evaluation
- Parent Information Program Class
- Private Mediation Fees (if needed)
- And more.
Affordable Divorce Attorney in Scottsdale & Phoenix, Arizona
Moshier Law is your first choice for when you need an affordable divorce lawyer in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. An experienced family law attorney will work with you to obtain the best possible outcome in your situation. We advocate for our clients, so they have the brightest future possible. Give us a call today at 480-999-0800 for a free consultation.
Source:
“Attorney Fees and Costs in Divorce.” Stewart Law Group, www.arizonalawgroup.com/arizona-divorce/attorney-fees-costs-divorce/.
Divorce and Family Law
When a case demands litigation, you’ll have the benefit of 19 years of litigation experience in California and Arizona. But when a case demands collaborative law, or mediation, you’ll know every option.
