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The national average cost of an uncontested divorce is about $3,750, with estimated prices ranging anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 in the US in 2020, according to LegalZoom. Additionally, family law attorneys usually bill around $150-$400 on average per hour, depending on their location.
On the website Thumbtack.com they say, “In general, attorneys charge a minimum of $1,000, on average, for an uncontested divorce, in which both parties agree that the divorce is necessary and have no disputes about how to divide the assets from the marriage, assign custody of children and so on.”
The Average Cost of an Uncontested Divorce
Going through a divorce isn’t only an overwhelming experience, but can also be expensive, especially when you aren’t prepared, and you don’t consider your options. If each of you agree on the divorce, your property division, and your children’s care, including custody, visitation rights, and child support, you both can file for an uncontested divorce. Uncontested divorces are more straightforward and more inexpensive than a contested divorce when the spouses aren’t in agreement on one or more matters.
If you’re choosing to get a divorce, you need to understand the divorce process, what your options are, the time it takes for the legal proceedings to complete, and its cost.
Not Having an Attorney
When filing for uncontested divorce by yourself, you do have options. Foremost, you and your spouse can present the necessary paperwork within your local family court. The courts will then give you the forms you’ll need, like a request for divorce and a parenting plan, that outlines your children’s care. Following your filing your documents and waiting for the necessary period mandated by the laws in your state, you will face a judge to get your divorce finalized. Make sure you have an understanding of your state laws as you are finishing the forms for divorce, like alimony, child support, and the division of property.
Also, you have the option of filing for an uncontested divorce utilizing online services. Usually, these services will take you through the process of completing and filing the required documentation for divorce as necessitated by your state. Look into your state laws to verify that filing for a divorce online is allowed.
When you file for an uncontested divorce on your own, without the help of an attorney, is the most inexpensive way to go. You’ll have an estimated $300 fee to file your documentation within the court if you file on your own or with the assistance of online services. When using an online service to aid you, costs may range from $150 to $1,500 dependent on the service itself and your particular situation, as well as the filing fee.
Having an Attorney
When you choose to have an attorney assist you, an attorney advocates for you and your wishes during the divorce process. Retaining an attorney may be beneficial if you have a complex divorce, or if you and your spouse can’t agree on certain issues.
An attorney may only represent one of you; you can’t share an attorney with your future ex. Your attorney will assist you in negotiating aspects of your divorce, like property division, child custody, and the settling of any debts. When your attorney files all the necessary documentation and the court date is scheduled, the attorney will go with you to court and submit your case to the judge for final resolution.
If you decide to retain an attorney for your uncontested divorce, the fee will be lower than a contested divorce. Nevertheless, the more complicated your case is, or if you do have a contested divorce case, then the attorney costs will go up.
Usually, you will be required to pay the divorce attorney a retainer fee, or a down payment, of $2,500 – $5,000. The attorney will charge you using this retainer until the money is gone. Following that, you might have to place another retainer, or your attorney might charge you by the hour. Average attorney fees can be somewhere between $150 to $400 per hour.
Using the Collaboration Process
A third option that is becoming popular is collaborative divorce. This kind of divorce is a cross between mediation and retaining an attorney, that is when both spouses work with each other to find a resolution to their matters.
In collaborative divorces, each spouse has an attorney knowledgeable with this process. Each spouse agrees to settle their issues collaboratively. If the spouses cannot agree on certain things, then they can go to court to resolve any unsettled issues. The cost range for a collaborative divorce may begin around $10,000, based on how complex your divorce case is.
You have many ways to get divorced, and the costs differ. Be sure to check with the laws in your state to understand what options are accessible to you. If you believe you and your spouse can come to agreements on important issues, then an uncontested divorce might be the best solution for all involved.
Speak with our Divorce Attorney in Phoenix & Scottsdale, AZ
Moshier Law should be your choice when you need the best divorce attorney in Phoenix. 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.
We can protect and advise you regarding Divorce and property division, child custody, child support, legal guardianship, child visitation, the marital home and real estate matters, allocation and valuation of investments, businesses, practices, retirement savings, pensions, personal possessions, valuables, vehicles, closely-held businesses, alimony and spousal maintenance, and debt division. To find out how our divorce attorneys can help your matter, schedule your initial case evaluation today.
We have a specialized network of Arizona attorneys, tax specialists, financial planners, estate planners, child specialists, real estate property appraisers, adult and child therapists and parenting coordinators who are here to help you when needed. Our Arizona divorce mediators are here to make your divorce less exhausting and will help keep you in control.
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, we can meaningfully describe why collaborative law or mediation may or may not be your best option.
