Everything You Need to Know About Divorce Lawyer Costs

Going through a divorce can be an extremely stressful time in your life. You are likely already worried about issues like child custody, spousal support, and division of marital assets. Wondering how you will pay for a lawyer during the process only creates additional stress.

Understanding some basics about the cost of a divorce lawyer can help ease some of your anxiety. Here are the things you need to know about the costs of hiring an attorney for your divorce.

How Much Does A Divorce Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a divorce lawyer can vary greatly, depending on several different factors. One of the biggest things that affects the cost is whether you are getting a contested or uncontested divorce. 

According to a 2019 survey, the average minimum rate for divorce attorneys was $260 per hour, and the average maximum was $330 per hour for contested divorces. The same study specifies that the average total costs for divorce lawyers ranged from $11,000 to $14,000 for contested divorces but could be significantly lower for uncontested divorces, even costing only a thousand or a few thousand dollars (per a flat-fee structure).

Some additional factors that can influence the cost of your divorce include the following:

  • Length of the marriage
  • Whether children are involved
  • Total value of marital assets
  • Whether the couple can agree on property division
  • Experience level of your attorney

The more complex your divorce is, the more it will likely cost. More complex divorces require your attorney to spend more time on your case, thus leading to higher fees.

Typical Divorce Attorney Fee Arrangements

Divorce attorneys typically use either a flat-fee structure for divorce cases or an hourly billing structure. The flat fee method means that the attorney will charge you one price to handle everything associated with your case. This type of fee is common in uncontested divorces.

When a flat fee is used, your attorney may not keep a detailed record of their time spent on your case. Their fee will be the same whether they spend 5 hours or 25 on your case.

On the other hand, hourly billing is common in contested divorces or other actions where it is difficult to estimate how much time may be spent on the case. When an attorney uses hourly billing on your case, they will typically require a retainer to be paid in advance. The attorney keeps detailed records of time spent working on the case and is paid for that time from the retainer.

Divorce cases are somewhat unique in that attorneys may utilize a combination of these types of fees—setting a minimum fee amount and billing hourly for any work beyond that. Additionally, a judge may order that one spouse pay all or part of the other spouse’s fees and expenses. The Florida State Bar has even acknowledged this unique billing situation for divorce attorney fees.

Make sure that you fully understand your attorney’s billing procedures and policies at the beginning of the representation. Most attorneys who utilize hourly billing will send you an itemized invoice each month that details all charges and fees for the month.

Additional Expenses To Consider During A Divorce

In addition to an attorney’s fee, there are several other expenses that you may incur throughout your divorce proceeding. Some examples of those fees include the following:

  • Filing fees
  • Court costs
  • Fees for copies of records
  • Costs of expert witnesses

Similar to your attorney’s fee, the additional costs and fees associated with your divorce can depend on the complexity of your case. If you have substantial assets, such as business entities, experts may be needed to help determine the value of those assets. Keep these things in mind when considering how much your divorce may cost.

Contact Our Divorce Law Firm in Orlando, FL

Still have questions about divorce lawyer costs? Contact the experienced Orlando divorce lawyers at McMichen, Cinami & Demps today for legal assistance. Contact our Orlando, FL office at (407) 898-2161 to schedule a free consultation.

McMichen, Cinami & Demps – Orlando Office
1500 E Concord St
Orlando, FL 32803