The Cost of Divorce

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Divorce

Getting a divorce can be very emotionally taxing. Divorce can also be monumentally expensive. There are seemingly cost that come out of nowhere, especially in cases where the divorce is contested, or there are children involved. More and more people are trending towards collaborative law as a means to keep the financial burden of getting a divorce minimized.

How Expensive Can Divorce Be?

That depends largely on the type of issues that need to be resolved. There is no universal cost for a contested or uncontested divorce. The average divorce in Illinois cost roughly $13,800. More than half of that figure will likely be allocated towards fees for your lawyer. The average hourly rate for a divorce attorney is $260.

The size of the firm, the amount of staff that works on your case, as well as the total time spent on your case will be the determining factor for how much you will pay in attorneys fees. Other expenses may include:

• Cost of filing documents with the court
• Cost of copying and or sharing other documents
• Cost for any expert witnesses used
• Cost for any consultants

What Will Cause My Cost to Increase?

Any contentious part of a divorce is likely going to increase the amount of money you pay. The reason for that is the more time your lawyer has to spend fighting the other side, the more hours he or she is billing, which in turn increases the amount of money you are spending on your case.

Spouses that have minor children at the time of their divorce are likely going to have an increased cost because of the experts and consultants that are used when issues over child support and custody arise. Additionally, the kind of divorce you file for can also raise the cost. For example, if you file for divorce based on fault like:

• Adultery
• Impotence
• Substance abuse
• Cruelty
• Abandonment

It is likely that your cost is going to be elevated because of the contentious nature of the divorce. Spouses that have a high net worth will also likely spend more on their divorce trying to protect their assets and interest.

How Do I Keep My Cost Low?

The most efficient way of keeping your cost low is to do your best working with your spouse through the divorce. The less you have to have your lawyers or a court resolve for you, the less amount of billable hours your attorney will charge you. Collaborative law, also known as collaborative practice is a way couples going through a divorce can keep their cost down.

If you are considering getting a divorce and are unsure of where to start, contact our DuPage County divorce and family law attorneys. Attorney Matthew M. Williams has over a decade's worth of experience representing his client's interests and defending their rights. Contact the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. at 630-409-8184 to schedule your initial consultation today.

Source:

http://family-law.lawyers.com/divorce/how-much-does-divorce-cost-in-illinois.html