People preparing for divorce often worry about what the end of a marriage might mean for their finances. Frequently, there are concerns about property division proceedings and also about the overall cost of the divorce itself.
People often make inquiries about the average cost of divorce expecting to receive a rough estimate of what the process could cost. However, accurately predicting divorce expenses is incredibly difficult. There are numerous variables that influence the overall cost of the divorce. One of the biggest considerations is whether the spouses pursue a contested or uncontested divorce. In most cases, divorces involving more conflict tend to cost far more than those where spouses cooperate.
Why contested divorces cost more
When looking at an analysis of typical divorce costs, it is easy to see that contested or litigated divorces usually cost substantially more. They cost multiple times what uncontested divorces usually do. The reason why is simple. In an uncontested divorce, the spouses present the courts with proposed settlements regarding property division, financial support and custody if they share children.
If they do not have terms already negotiated with one another, then they need to have a judge learn about the family circumstances and apply state law. The more time people spend in court, the more a divorce may cost. Certain factors, like the potential for custody battles, could drastically increase divorce costs. So can divorces involving substantial assets.
In some cases, spouses may even incur secondary expenses. In high-conflict divorces, there might be concerns about the accuracy of financial disclosures. One spouse might bring in a forensic accountant as a way of validating disclosures and proposed arrangements.
The lawyer that someone hires also influences what they pay. How well the lawyer negotiates and their experience with similar divorces can directly influence how long the divorce takes and therefore, how much it costs.
The more time spouses spend in court and the more disputes they have with one another, the more the divorce may cost. The expenses of a divorce can range from a few thousand dollars in some cases to tens of thousands of dollars in others.
Creating a workable divorce strategy before filing or heading to court is one way to help control divorce costs. People who understand what is realistic and standard under the law can avoid unnecessary conflict in pursuit of terms that the courts are unlikely to grant them. Those who get support early in the process can learn about what to expect and may be able to control their costs more effectively as well.