The Cost of a Divorce Lawyer

The Cost of a Divorce

Each family law case is different and no case is typical. Your legal fees will differ in each case depending upon the following factors:

Whether children are involved
Spousal support issues
Dispute over child custody
Dispute over parenting time
Non marital property issues
Pension or 401(k) divisions
Difficult spouse or opposing attorney
Refusal to comply with informal discovery
Number of court appearances required
Trial preparation and contested trial

Nearly all divorce lawyers in Minnesota charge at an hourly rate. The hourly rate of the lawyer can depend upon several factors including experience, location and affiliations. It is important to find a lawyer that you feel comfortable with and that has sufficient experience to represent you in regard to your legal issues.

Example Fees

One third of divorces cost $2,000 to $5,000

Cases with uncomplicated assets and debts. No dispute over custody or parenting time. Both spouses are self supporting. Parties want to settle amicably.

One third of divorces cost $5,000 to $10,000

Cases where parties cannot agree on all issues. Dispute over parenting time and/or support. Court appearances necessary. Valuations and/or evaluations necessary.

One third of divorces cost more than $10,000

Highly contentious divorce. Parties disagree on major or all issues. Multiple court appearances necessary. Difficult discovery of income and assets. Trial preparation and/or trial necessary.

Priest Law Firm, Ltd. Offers:

Free initial 1/2 hour consultations
Reasonable hourly rates
Payment plans
Flexible retainer options
Military discount
Senior discount
Use of Credit Cards

The Cost of Proceeding Without a Lawyer

Many people want to pay the least amount of money they can to obtain a divorce or resolve a family law matter. Before trying to filling out forms to finish your own divorce or using a paralegal service, you should consider that there are many cmplex areas of the law as the it applies to family law matters, forms and paralegals cannot address the complexities of the law as they apply to your individual circumtances, only lawyers can provide this service. Please consider the following scenario.

Following is an example of the real cost for a divorce that isn't handled appropriately:

BETTY LOSES OVER $100,000 THAT SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENTITLED TO

Facts

Jim and Betty were married for 12 years.
They have two children, ages 5 and 8.
Jim works full time and earns $65,000 a year.
Betty works part time and earns $12,000 a year.
Jim and Betty own a house worth $250,000 with a $120,000 mortgage.
The house was purchased for $165,000 with down payment of $16,500.
The down payment came from Betty's house that she sold before
she got married.
Jim has a 401(k) worth $80,000.
Betty has no retirement benefits.
Jim has health insurance for the entire family through his employment.
Jim and Betty pay $350 a month for child care.

Jim and Betty agreed not to fight over their divorce and used a paralegal service to prepare the documents they needed to get divorced based upon the following agreement:

The parties will share joint legal custody of the children.
Betty will have sole physical custody of the children.
Jim will have parenting time as agreed.
Neither party will pay spousal maintenance.
Jim will pay child support of $800 a month until there is only one child and support will drop to $500 a month.
Jim will maintain health insurance for the children.
The house will be sold and the net proceeds will be divided 50/50.
All personal property will be equally divided as agreed.
Jim will get he retirement account because it is in his name.

Jim didn't talk about how much was in his retirement account or how to divide it. Betty did not understand that she had a non-marital interest in the house. The parties never talked about childcare expenses.

Potential Losses to Betty

Betty had a Non marital claim in house, based upon the fact that she contributed money from a house that she owned prior to the marriage: $25,000
Betty was entitled to an equitable division of the portion of the retirement account that was accrued during the marriage: $40,000
Difference in support paid pursuant to the Minnesota guidleines instead of the amount that Betty thought would be fair, for 2 children at $800 instead of $1,081: $33,720
Difference in support paid pursuant to the Minnesota guidleines instead of the amount that Betty thought would be fair, for 1 child at $500 instead of $682: $6,552
Amount that Jim is required to contribute to the annual childcare costs $2,646 per year

Total Potential Losses $107,918

QUALITY LEGAL ADVICE THAT YOU CAN TRUST

Priest Law Firm, Ltd.

7900 International Drive, Suite 200
Bloomington, MN 55425
Map and Directions
Phone: 952-808-1988

Minnesota family law attorney Jeff Priest represents clients throughout the Twin Cities and the nine-county metro area in communities such as Bloomington, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Richfield, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Eagan, Rosemount, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, Woodbury, Burnsville, Lakeville, Savage, Shakopee, Farmington and Ft. Snelling.

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The Cost of a Divorce Lawyer