Divorce is a complicated process, both emotional and financially. It makes sense, then, that one of the most common questions we encounter at Lloyd & Hogan, P.C. is how much the process will cost in the client’s specific municipality. It can be comforting to have a constant to focus upon, however the price isn’t an easy one to calculate. There are a lot of factors that can raise or lower the cost and they depend upon your specific circumstances.
Contested vs. Uncontested
Simple legal processes tend to cost less than those that are more involved. With that in mind, it makes sense that uncontested divorces – a kind of divorce where all parties involved accept the terms of the divorce – tend to cost much less than contested divorces. Contested divorces mean that a lot more legal maneuvering will be necessary to uphold your best interests, and court time and costs might also be significantly increased. Lloyd & Hogan doesn’t offer a flat fee estimate for contested divorces simply because the situation can be so volatile. With that said, here are some figures to help show what we, at Lloyd & Hogan, charge for divorce in Shelby County:
- $300 – Consultation Fee
- $300/hour – Kathryn C. Gentle, Esq.
- $175/hour – Emily P. Mauck, Esq.
- $95/hour – paralegal
- Uncontested divorce without dependents or significant assets: $1,250 + filing fees/court costs
- Uncontested divorce with dependents or assets: $1,875 + filing fees/court costs
- Contested divorce: Initial retainer ranges anywhere from $3,500 to $10,000.
Miscellaneous Costs
Additional costs, including filing fees, service fees, and other miscellaneous expenses, may apply to your divorce. These can include any the following approximate costs:
- $106 – Initial filing fee for a Paternity or Child Support Action
- $291 – Initial Complaint for Divorce
- $398 – Modification or Post-Divorce Action
Finally, quit claim deed filings and service fees might also apply such as:
- $65 – $125 – Service fees depending on the type of service and attempts made
- $175 – Drafting a Quit Claim Deed
- Court Reporter Fees
- Transcript Fees
- $13 – Subpoena Filing Fees
Divorce is a difficult process, but you don’t have to face it alone. For more information about your divorce and how the attorneys at Lloyd & Hogan, P.C. can help, reach out to us today.