If you are considering getting a divorce, you have a multitude of questions and concerns about the process. Your worries may include concerns over division of assets, length of time for the divorce process to be completed, and of course, questions about how much your divorce will cost.
There are many factors that come into play when considering the cost of a divorce. One of the biggest determining factors of cost is typically whether your divorce is contested or agreed upon.
Court Fees
Certain financial pieces of your divorce are clear, while other will vary depending on your circumstances. In New Jersey, the court fees to process a Complaint of Divorce are $250. If you have children, you will also need to pay the $25 Parent Education fee to the court as well. These fees are non-negotiable and will be charged to you whether you represent yourself or go through a lawyer or mediator.
Uncontested Divorce – Mediation
One option to reduce fees associated with divorce is to seek a divorce mediator instead of hiring a litigator. If both parties agree to the divorce and the equitable distribution of assets, as well as any child custody issues, mediation can save a lot of money. Mediators can be hired at either a flat rate for their service, or at a lower hourly rate if more meetings are required. The hourly fee for mediators is typically much lower than the hourly rate for a lawyer who needs to argue your side of the divorce in court.
Contested Divorce
When one spouse wants a divorce and the other doesn’t, it can cause a number of tricky additional steps to the process. With each additional hurdle, your legal fees could increase. Even if you both agree to a divorce, disagreements over the distribution of assets, assignments of alimony and child support, or even child custody can greatly increase the amount of negotiating between lawyers, and possibly in front of a judge. All of these extra steps and increased hours means your total cost of divorce will be much higher.
How Much Will It Cost?
With so many variables, it is difficult to state an actual cost for divorce at all. Divorce costs in New Jersey could range anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars when all fees and costs are totaled.
Who Can Help?
In order to be sure you understand all issues affecting the cost of your divorce, it is important to have a trusted attorney or mediator working with you. A divorce lawyer who not only knows the ins and outs of New Jersey divorce law, but who also understands your financial concerns can be hard to come by. The experienced, successful, and dependable lawyers at Castronovo & McKinney can help you understand your options to make the best choices for your own situation. Contact us today to inquire about hiring a divorce lawyer or mediator to assist you through this difficult time.
