When people divorce, one important question is, “How much does a divorce cost?” An uncontested divorce in Oakbrook Terrace and the rest of Illinois may be $2,500 to $5,000, while a contested divorce could run between $10,000 to $15,000. However, the cost could be much higher, depending on the level of contention and the nuances involved. Overall, many factors, such as how long the divorce takes, the complexity of the issues, and whether there are minor children, affect the total cost.
Working with a divorce lawyer can give you a better outcome and long-term savings. Call Erlich Law Office at 630-538-5331 to discuss your case.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost? Breaking Down the Costs
In many divorces, divorce lawyer costs account for the largest portion of expenses. How much does a divorce attorney charge?
Attorney Fees
Some attorneys charge hourly, and the cost per hour typically ranges from $250 to $450. For a contested divorce, these hourly fees could total to as much as $14,000 (or more, in complicated or especially high-conflict situations).
How much an uncontested divorce costs should be less than a contested divorce, and often with flat rates for attorney fees. If a case is simple, the cost could be as low as $1,000. A more nuanced, uncontested divorce may cost more like $5,000.
Attorneys should disclose upfront whether they charge hourly rates or flat fees, and discuss other billing matters with you. Many attorneys who charge hourly rates may require a retainer before they start working for you. The retainer could be the estimated cost of expenses for the divorce or a portion of the total anticipated cost. If the retainer money runs out, the attorney may ask for another retainer. You should get an invoice each month that breaks down your retainer money to show how attorneys are using it.
Court Costs
Each county in Illinois imposes divorce filing fees. In Oakbrook Terrace, the fee to file is $348. Cook County charges slightly more, $388. The rates are similar in the rest of Illinois. If the respondent wants to respond to the filing, a fee of about $200 or more applies.
Other court costs cover sheriff service, parenting class payments, and complaints and counter-complaints. All together, these may be about $200 or more. Your lawyer should be able to break down the fees that apply in your case.
Mediation
Many contested and uncontested splits involve mediation or some type of alternative dispute resolution. Fortunately, mediation can address disagreements over issues such as child custody, the marital home, spousal support, and asset division.
Mediation fees, like attorney fees, can be flat rate or hourly, and add to the average cost of the divorce process. A relatively simple case for mediation might have a flat fee of $1,500, while a more complex one could go for $4,000 or $5,000. As far as hourly rates, $100 to $400 per hour is common. A more complicated or contentious case would require more hours, so, like with hourly lawyer fees, there is a direct link between the complexity of the divorce and the cost of it.
Property Valuations/Appraisals
Property appraisals may be necessary if the parties disagree on the valuations of their assets, or even on what is marital and nonmarital property. For example, valuations can tease out the nuances of contributions a spouse may have made to a home or asset the other owned before marriage.
Likewise, an appraisal may be necessary if the parties just want to know how much their properties are valued at for purposes of equitable marital distribution. There can be a lot that goes into an appraisal, and some are complex.
- The cost of appraising a single-family home could be about $400.
- For a higher-value real estate property, the cost might reach between $1,000 and $3,000.
- Appraisals for smaller businesses could start at $5,000, while those for medium or larger businesses could start at $10,000. Well-kept financial records can reduce these expenses.
- Vehicle appraisals may cost between $100 to $300 for each vehicle.
- Fine art and jewelry may require specialized appraising, with perhaps $100 per piece of jewelry and $500 to $1,500 per piece of fine art. Antiques and collectibles might be $200 to $500 per piece, depending on how unique a piece is and the need for specialized appraisal.
Retirement accounts often require valuation, too, since one spouse may lay partial claim to an account in the other spouse’s name. The timing of contributions matters, with contributions and growth before the marriage usually being nonmarital property.
Even home workshops, home offices, and farming machinery may need to be appraised. The price tag could reach $300 to $1,000, depending on how many items there are and their condition.
As for intellectual property such as copyrights, patents, and trademarks, appraisal costs could range between $5,000 to as high as $25,000. Much depends on the property’s uniqueness, earning potential, and complexity.
To save money on appraisals in Oakbrook Terrace, your attorney may be able to help you identify only disputed or high-value assets to be appraised. Tax assessments or informal valuations could suffice for the other assets.
Another cost-saving method is for both spouses to agree to share appraisal expenses, hiring one appraiser to provide a neutral valuation. You also may be able to save money by bundling multiple appraisals in a package deal.
What Factors Can Increase or Decrease Divorce Expenses?
Whether a divorce is contested or uncontested is a major factor in expenses. A simple uncontested divorce might cost $2,500 total, while a complicated contested divorce could cost more than $15,000. The longer a divorce takes and the more hours and court appearances it requires, the higher the expense. Meanwhile, you may never have to physically go to court for uncontested divorce.
Minor children the spouses share are another factor. Mediation is more common when children are involved, with issues such as custody and support to resolve.
Illinois is home to 1.3 million small businesses. Having substantial marital assets, including real estate, businesses, and retirement accounts, can increase the cost of the divorce. There is likely a greater need for appraisals and mediation.
Other important factors include the level of trust and collaboration between the spouses. If both try to remain open-minded and work toward a shared goal, mediation may be smoother and more effective. Likewise, appraisals may cost less if the spouses agree on a neutral appraiser or on less significant assets to forego official appraisal.
Why Hiring a Divorce Lawyer Is Worth the Cost in Oakbrook Terrace
Divorce expenses can seem overwhelming. However, hiring a divorce attorney should be worth the cost and could save you money in the long run. If you try to handle a divorce by yourself, the risk of mistakes increases. Fixing them could be very expensive or just not possible down the road.
For example, if you want to return to court just one year after a divorce to modify child support or custody arrangements with no change in circumstances, the court may refuse to consider the case. It is best to get matters as right as possible before the divorce decree is finalized.
- Legal guidance: A lawyer makes sure your divorce is legally sound and protects your rights. Divorce can be an emotional time, with people often making decisions not in their best interests. A lawyer can safeguard against this.
- Peace of mind: For many people, divorce is confusing and filled with questions and worries about the future. Lawyers can offer guidance, reassurance, and support during various transitions. They have helped other people get through similar situations to thrive and can help you.
- Negotiation: A lawyer should have negotiation skills in areas such as child custody, spousal support, property division, and other matters. A lawyer can work with you to prioritize your goals and the outcomes you want from the divorce, and proceed accordingly with negotiation.
- Focus: Divorce requires work on many fronts. It can be tough to manage all aspects of a divorce yourself along with your mental and emotional health, job, relationships with your children, and friendships. An attorney managing the legalities of your divorce case means you have more time to focus on you.
With an uncontested divorce lawyer, you may be able to get a flat fee upfront. Be as transparent and thorough as possible, as hiding things from your lawyer can hurt you later legally, financially, and emotionally.
Of course, it helps to know how to choose the right family law attorney for your case. During the initial consultation, you should get a feel for the attorney’s communication style, ability to understand your case and your needs, and overall compatibility with you.
Ask about billing practices and any retainer fees, and find out the lawyer’s experience in divorce cases similar to yours. Contact us at Erlich Law Office to discuss your divorce and the possible costs.
