When you decide to get a divorce, one of the first things you should do is hire an attorney, which raises the question of how much a divorce attorney costs, and whether this will impact your decision to get a divorce.
While in some cases, couples divorce without hiring attorneys, these cases are typically ones where the couple is both amicable and knowledgeable in divorce law, which also means these situations are fewer and far between than most cases.
In most cases, people hire attorneys. The cost of hiring an attorney depends on many factors, which we will discuss below.
Who is your attorney?
The legal profession relies heavily on attorneys’ reputations and known skills. Usually, within any community, attorneys know who the best attorneys are.
The public can also gauge the quality of an attorney by inquiring further into their background, including any awards and accolades they have received, especially those awarded by peers in the community, like SuperLawyers.
How complicated is your case?
The complexity of your case impacts the cost of your attorney. This is because the more complex the case, the more work your attorney must do to help you inside and outside the courtroom.
Location, location, location
Where you reside significantly impacts the cost of a divorce attorney. Most attorneys try to be competitive in pricing, and they know many other attorneys around them.
For this reason, your geographic location matters regarding the cost of a divorce attorney. Suppose you are filing for divorce in Orange County, California. In that case, the price will most likely differ from the price of an attorney if you file for divorce in a smaller town.
Many of these are because of differences in the cost of living, the higher cost of doing business in urban areas, and more. If you live in a large city, be prepared to pay more than in a small one.
How attorneys charge
There are different billing systems attorneys use. The most common are hourly rates and flat fees. In addition, your attorney may ask for a one-time retainer at the beginning of the case to cover the first part or the entirety of it if the case ends up being simple.
Keeping costs down
To keep your costs down, communicate with your attorney. Especially if you have a budget or restrictions on how much you can spend. Discuss this with your attorney as soon as possible.
An attorney will probably tell you whether they can represent you. If not, they will usually refer you to someone who can. However, communicating your expectations and financial ability to pay is one of the first things you should discuss with any attorney you speak with regarding potential representation.
