How much will my divorce cost?

The cost of divorce depends on which approach you take.  Keep in mind that just because an approach is cheaper does not mean it is the best fit for your family.

$ DIY Divorce

Doing it yourself is the cheapest way to divorce. You can probably get away with a do-it-yourself divorce and pay only the filing fees you have been married for a very short time, have no children, do not own any real property, and have very few assets and no debt. Typical costs are $500 per couple.  

$$ Mediated Divorce

Mediators charge an average of $300 per hour, per couple. If you and your spouse have only a few issues to hammer out, you may need only one or two mediation sessions, however, my experience has been that most couples need at least 3 sessions. Couples with more complicated issues such as a small business or children will need more time with their mediator. Typical costs are $2,500 to $5,000 per couple.

$$$ Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative Divorce is cheaper than a traditional litigated divorce and the collaborative divorce still includes two attorneys and allied team professionals. Typical costs are $15,000 to $25,000 per couple.

$$$ Litigated Divorce

Generally, a litigated divorce is very expensive. The average adversarial divorce in the U.S. costs between $10,000 and $30,000 per couple.  Couples with high levels of conflict will see the costs rise because you must pay for each attorney to prepare for the initial hearings, conduct a formal discovery process, attend meetings with the other lawyers, gather expert opinions, draw up a settlement and come to a formal agreement.  

You can contact me at Amanda@gordonfamilylaw.com for more information.