Paying For Legal Assistance During A Divorce: What You Should Know
Just like everything else in life, getting a divorce is something that is not completely free of charge. You will be facing divorce filing fees and possible new expenses as you and your spouse separate your lives from one into two. Therefore, it is only natural to be concerned about how much it would cost to bring on a divorce attorney for help. Here is a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about the costs associated with hiring an attorney to help you through a divorce.
Will you have to pay just to talk to a divorce attorney for advice?
If you have decided that you are going to get a divorce, one of the first things you should do is talk to a divorce lawyer for some advice. Not every situation is alike, and there are some divorces that can get pretty complicated, so a little guidance, in the beginning, will mean a lot. For the most part, divorce attorneys will not usually charge you for the initial advice they have to offer or if you schedule a brief consultation.
How much will the divorce attorney charge you?
The price of filing for a divorce will involve certain fees depending on what state you live in, and a divorce attorney will usually charge you a set rate for helping you file. Some attorneys will charge an hourly rate for helping you with the divorce, which can be anywhere between $250 and $450 per hour. In these situations, they may ask for a retainer fee up front that is meant to cover the number of hours the attorney actually has to work for you. More complicated divorce situations will naturally take up more of your attorney's time so that you will be charged more.
What situations could be cause for the divorce attorney charging more for their services?
An uncontested divorce, or a divorce when both parties agree to everything, is the simplest and cheapest. Some of the situations that can make a divorce more time-consuming for your attorney would be:
- Your spouse does not agree to the divorce or cannot be contacted
- There are custody issues involved
- There are disputes about who gets what or what belongs to who
- You and your partner own property together
Because these are things that can complicate a divorce and make it more costly, it is best to work out as much as you possibly can before seeking the help of an attorney. Check out a website like http://gomezmaylaw.com/ for more information and assistance.