Flat Fee Divorce Leaves Your Pockets More Money

Flat Fee Divorce Leaves Money In Your Pocket

Recent reports have stated that divorce rates in the U.S. have declined in the past few years. Among the reasons cited, the economy ranked highly as a factor. It would seem that many couples, who are exploring divorce options, are discovering that they simply can’t afford the process, and are choosing to remain in unhappy marriages.

While divorce is not an option to be taken lightly, or without having exhausted all other alternatives; money should not be the deciding factor. Nor does it need to be. You simply need to know the right questions to ask.

Speaking With Your Attorney

Chances are that your lawyer will not bring up payment options if you do not ask specific questions. If money is your concern, you should definitely ask about the flat fee divorce. This is often the least complicated and most affordable divorce option. It generally entails paying a one time fee, in advance, for services to be performed

Many lawyers are amenable to handling simple uncontested divorce cases on a flat fee basis. However, if there are complications, the agreement may need to be modified. Additional charges may be added if your attorney has to file motions in court, which were not anticipated.

Benefits Of A Flat Fee Divorce

Contemplating all of the implications of a divorce can be emotionally stressful, if not downright traumatic. With everything that you are likely to be feeling, or worrying about, it can be easy to lose track of legal fees. You may forget that every time your attorney answers his telephone, it goes onto your bill. Many people become so overwhelmed with the whole process, that they soon give up even trying to keep track of the mounting fees. With a flat fee divorce, this ceases to be an issue. You know from the outset how much you will owe. Once you have paid the one time, up front fee, you can concentrate on more pressing issues.

What Is The Cost?

The actual fee is nearly impossible to estimate. Fees vary from state to state, and will depend largely upon the complexity of your settlement. Your first step should be to contact the attorney of your choice, to discuss your situation, and his/her fee schedule. The final fee may be in the hundreds of dollars, but it could certainly range well into the thousands, or even tens of thousands. Some of the criteria on which the lawyer is likely to base the flat fee are as follows:

• The attorney’s experience, and/or reputation (A more experienced lawyer will likely cost more)
• Local average fees for similar services
• Approximate time and labor (this is where the complexity of your case comes into play)
• Whether you are a returning client, or were referred by one

What Determines The Complexity Of My Settlement?

Some of the issues that can drive up your fee include:

• A contested divorce- this means that the two parties can not agree on how to divide the assets. Mediation may be required.
• A particularly large amount of assets to divide.
• Child custody issues

Is There A Less Expensive Option?

Other alternatives do exist. If your divorce is uncontested, many states now allow online divorces. This is typically a matter of filling out forms online, and paying a small fee. With no attorneys involved, the fee may be as small as $30.00 USD, although $100.00-$300.00 is typical.

A Difficult Decision

Ending a marriage is never an easy decision to make. But with the knowledge that it doesn’t have to be a financial nightmare, there is no reason to remain in an unhappy union, solely because of the cost involved. There are divorce options to fit nearly any budget, or situation.