Divorce in Meade County: How Much Does It Cost?

Divorce is never an easy process for anyone involved. It can be both emotionally and financially draining. Although most people focus on the emotional cost of a divorce, the reality is that there is a practical cost as well. In fact, one of the most common questions we are asked is “how much does a divorce cost?” The answer of course depends on whether the divorce is uncontested or contested.  An uncontested divorce requires an agreement between the parties as to the terms and conditions of the divorce and a resolution of all issues.  At your initial consultation we will discuss the issues required for an agreement and an uncontested divorce.  An uncontested divorce has a relatively low flat fee.

Divorce in Meade County

In contested divorce cases, which are cases where there is not an agreement as to one or more of the issues arising from the marriage, we bill clients by the hour as is customary. A client is required to pay a retainer fee up front and the hours worked on the case are then billed against the retainer fee. If the retainer gets low the client will be asked to make another payment. If funds remain over and above the minimum retainer fee then at the conclusion of the divorce those funds are returned to the client. Because each divorce case is unique there is no way to provide an “average fee” for a divorce; however, there are some common factors or circumstances that will typically increase the cost of a divorce, including:

• Minor children –  If there is no agreement then custody and visitation issues arise which can make a divorce take longer and require more work than one without minor children.
• Extensive assets/ debts – As a general rule, the more assets and debts the parties have the longer it will take to settle the divorce and, therefore, the higher the cost. Some assets, such as retirement accounts, require specialized procedures to separate in a divorce. Failing to follow the proper procedure and execute the required forms can cause significant problems down the road.
• How contentious the parties are – Even a divorce with minor children and significant assets and debts can be handled expeditiously and with minimum expense if the parties are able to work together toward an agreement that covers the issues in the divorce. On the other hand, a divorce with no children and few assets/debts can drag on and become costly if the parties are contentious and unwilling to compromise.

The best way to find out what your divorce in Meade County may cost is to consult with an experienced Meade County divorce attorney about the specific facts and circumstances of your case.  Please contact our office at (270) 351-6032 and we will gladly provide you with this information.