- I need to get a divorce, but I can't afford it. What should I do?
- How much will it cost me to get a divorce?
- Are there ways to reduce the cost of a divorce?
- What if I only need an attorney to draft the paperwork for me?
- Why do children raise the cost of a divorce?
- Wouldn't it be cheaper for me to just purchase divorce forms and represent myself in court?
- I still have questions. Who should I contact?
I need to get a divorce, but I can't afford it. What should I do?
Despite what other attorneys may tell you, you don't need $5,000 or more in cash available to get a divorce in most cases. Many attorneys, especially the ones at Patel Warren & Ervin, PLLC , will work with you within your budget to assist you in getting a divorce.
How much will it cost me to get a divorce?
This can be a very complicated question to answer. The costs involved with a divorce mostly depend on how easily the spouses can agree on how to settle the divorce. If you and your spouse have no children and no property of any consequence, the divorce can cost relatively little compared to those with children, a house and vehicles.
To give you a general range, a very simple divorce can cost as little as $1,000. A very complex divorce fought "tooth and nail" throughout can cost $5,000 or more. Remember, the cost often depends more on the spouses than the attorneys involved.
Are there ways to reduce the cost of a divorce?
As long as you and your spouse are both dedicated to being fair, it is quite possible to get a divorce without breaking the bank. The attorneys at Patel & Warren, PLLC are strident believers in the effectiveness of mediation in family law cases. By agreeing to negotiate your divorce in front of a neutral third-party mediator, you may find that you can settle your divorce in as little as 3-4 hours, without the need for numerous court appearances and extensive investigations.
What if I only need an attorney to draft the paperwork for me?
Our firm now offers the option to retain us on a drafting and consultation basis only. This means that you will represent yourself in court throughout your divorce, with an attorney from Patel Warren & Ervin, PLLC being made available to you on an hourly fee basis for the purpose of drafting paperwork as needed in your case, advising you on the procedures needed to file your paperwork, and giving you legal advice on how to approach issues unique to your case.
This can be a very affordable option for someone who has reached an agreement in principle with their spouse and only needs an attorney to assist in drafting the paperwork in a manner that the court will accept and which will be enforceable later on in the event their spouse fails to follow that agreement.
Why do children raise the cost of a divorce?
There are two main reasons why children can cause a divorce to become significantly more costly.
First, emotions tend to run their highest when children are involved. While property can be sold or split up equally, children are very different, as they should be. Parents are very protective of their children and often believe that they are the ones best qualified to care for them.
Second, the paperwork involved in finalizing a divorce involving children is much more complicated than a divorce without children. Because courts require parents to submit a parenting plan containing the various conditions for custody on weekdays, weekends, holidays and the summer, attorneys are required to draft much longer documents for cases involving children.
Wouldn't it be cheaper for me to just purchase divorce forms and represent myself in court?
Sure! But then again, you could probably save some money by fixing your own car, weaving your own clothing, growing your own food and building your own house. Most of us, however, don't have the time, skill or patience to handle all of those things on our own. For that reason, we spend money on products and services that accomplish those objectives for us.
If you are absolutely comfortable learning a system entirely different from what you probably already know, and taking time out from other aspects of your life in order to learn that system and complete paperwork, then perhaps you could file your divorce on your own.
Attorneys who practice family law have committed themselves to learning the various rules and laws associated with divorce, and can complete the necessary paperwork relatively quickly. Therefore, family law attorneys can reduce the stress related to your divorce, provide objective advice on how to proceed, and achieve your goals with greater competency and far more quickly than you may be able to on your own.
I still have questions. Who should I contact?
The lawyers at Patel Warren & Ervin, PLLC will be more than happy to answer your questions. Please call our office at 713-579-9700 to discuss your particular case in detail.
