As you prepare for a divorce, you may be worried about your finances. When you split from your spouse, you already have to think about how you’re going to survive with half of the assets you had to begin with or with a single income. You also have to consider divorce costs. Here are the most common questions regarding divorce costs.
What Is the Average Cost?
To say what the average cost of a divorce is can be difficult. Every divorce is different. Every couple has a different financial situation and different arguments regarding finances. On average, most couples spend around $15,000 on a divorce. This includes attorney fees, experts, court costs, and appraisals. There are a lot of different aspects of a divorce that can cost you money. One of the most important things to remember is that the amount of time that it takes you to finalize the divorce can also dictate how much you will pay.
What Are the Cost Factors?
Knowing the average cost will not help you determine the cost of your divorce. Every person’s circumstances are different. The costs will depend on what you and your spouse can agree on. It can also change based on whether you need an attorney. Some different factors include:
- Contested versus uncontested divorce
- Lawyer fees
- Child custody evaluations
- Alimony
- Location of the divorce filing
It is important to discuss costs with your lawyer. Some divorcees become overwhelmed or surprised by the costs involved with a divorce.
What Can Reduce Costs?
There are ways that you can reduce the cost of your divorce. One of the best ways to have a more cost-effective divorce is to have an uncontested divorce. If you and your spouse can agree, then it can save you money. Some agreements that you can make involve:
- Issues regarding child custody
- Issues regarding the division of assets
- Issues regarding financial support
If you can solve the major issues as a couple, then you won’t have to fight about the costs in court. When two parties cannot meet an agreement, then it tends to cost the person filing for divorce more money.
For most people, the cost of a divorce is a consideration. It is important to have some estimation of how much you will spend on your divorce.
