HOW MUCH WILL MY DIVORCE COST?
by Raymond Pater

One of the first questions clients often ask is, "How much will this divorce cost?" Some divorces are simple and the total fees will be less than $1,000. Others should be simple but because of either the parties or their attorneys, the simple becomes complex, time-consuming and expensive. Sometimes a case looks like it will be involved, but the issues are dealt with reasonably and without waste and the legal fees are relatively modest.

Several factors can influence legal fees:

a. Complexity. A case involving issues such as the value of a business or child custody may add complexity and attorney fees. (A parent has to look out for what is best for the child(ren). In rare cases, a parent is so eager to avoid conflict and increased legal fees, that he or she agrees to something that harms the children.)

b. Willingness to settle. Sometimes a reasonable settlement should be relatively easy to reach, but one or both parties make unreasonable demands. There should be a realistic cost-benefit analysis of when to fight and when to settle.

c. Conflict. The parties can help minimize the costs by seeking to reduce or avoid conflict.

d. Emotions. Divorce often involves strong emotions. Animosity or the desire for revenge can increase attorneys fees. Some waste good money fighting over minor issues or by aggravating a spouse so that a reasonable resolution becomes difficult or impossible.

e. Attorneys. Attorneys have the responsibility to seek to reduce unnecessary conflict that may result in harm to the client and the cause of justice. Attorneys do a disservice when they adopt an approach of "let's you and him fight" (and I will bill you monthly). An experienced divorce attorney will have a realistic view of what you are likely to achieve and will work to obtain a resolution that benefits you without unnecessary delay, conflict, and attorneys fees.

Look for an attorney with whom you can communicate openly and who has a mature and experienced approach that can help to reduce unnecessary conflict and costs.

Raymond Pater is an experienced trial lawyer who will attempt to handle your case aggressively and reasonably, keeping in mind that you don’t want to lose your shirt to either your spouse or to your attorney.

Contact Ray by phone at 616.396.8883, or click HERE to send email.