The Actual Cost Of Divorce

It’s no secret that getting a divorce is typically a very expensive and time consuming process. But just how expensive and time consuming is it? Legal site Nolo.com recently released the results of a survey they conducted and created a handy infographic that illustrates exactly what the cost of divorce is, on average.

The three key metrics they wanted to measure were:

• The average total divorce cost
• The average hourly rate of a divorce attorney
• The average time it took to complete a divorce

Here are the results they came up with:

As you can see, the average cost of divorce is fairly significant, over fifteen thousand dollars. Attorney’s fees average around $250, and the average time from filing to completion is just under eleven months. However, any case that went to trial increased the completion time by seven months.
 

Key Takeaways

The information above is very illuminating, and it provides some concrete answers about the actual monetary cost of divorce and the time involved. Additionally, there are some key takeaways that any spouse or couple considering divorce should think about:

• Be financially prepared: With the average cost so high, spouses need to accept the financial toll a divorce will take.
• Don’t expect a quick resolution: It’s going to take close to a year, or more, before your divorce is finalized. A lot can happen in that time and it’s important to consider all aspects of your life before starting the process.
• Be comfortable with your attorney: Your divorce attorney will be your partner and guide through the divorce process, so it’s very important to have confidence in their skills and have a good working relationship with that person.

While it is possible for a divorce to cost much less and be resolved more quickly than the average, it’s better for all parties involved to have realistic expectations at the outset. The cost of divorce, aside from the time and money, is also emotional. That emotional cost is often the highest of them all, and it’s important to be committed to the process once it gets underway.