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How Much Does A Divorce Lawyer Cost?

 

how much does a divorce lawyer costThe clear answer to the often asked question “How much does a divorce lawyer cost” depends greatly on exactly what you expect the divorce lawyer to do. If you need your divorce lawyer to simply file paperwork, then an inexpensive junior attorney fresh out of law school would be economical.

However, if you require a highly experienced counselor to protect your interests from start to finish, then your costs for this professional service will be higher. If asset and property division, alimony, child custody, visitation, and support issues are contested, you will need a seasoned expert on your side to fight for your best interests.

What’s important here is that when you are paying a lawyer, you want them to be the point person to get your needs met. Family attorney Mike Allen suggests choosing a divorce lawyer whom you trust and who is willing to “take ownership” of your case. This means clearly explaining things to you, and fighting tirelessly on your behalf.

 

To find the best divorce lawyer for your situation, you will need to make a list and interview each one to find someone you are most comfortable with.

Useful items to have with you when interviewing divorce lawyers include:

— An updated list of your financial assets and debts.

— Photo identification.

— Copies of any correspondence between you and your ex-spouse.

I tell people to take a new picture ID and write on it, ‘Not to be used for any purpose that could interfere with a child support case,’” says Allen. Also, the divorce lawyers you interview will ask for a list of any information about any current or former income sources that might be taxable.

 

Allen also notes that there will likely be a “collection period” after the divorce. In other words, during the first few months, one party will likely have to pay spousal support, child support, and alimony.

Some of these expenses may have to be met through joint bank accounts, loan guarantees, credit cards, and investment accounts. What about alimony when there are kids involved? We’ve had a divorce in our office where the wife is paying alimony, and the husband is paying child support. And he’s trying to buy a house.

Is that fair to the children? Allen suggests it’s actually not “fair” to split the family’s money evenly unless both parents agree to it. And it’s important to know that alimony is not given out to anyone who doesn’t deserve it.

It’s all about helping clients get through a difficult period. At the end of the day, it has to be about what is the best for clients and how to help kids through a divorce. There is a dollar figure that has to be shared to support that goal.

Another thing to keep in mind is that alimony is not completely dependent on income. A judge will look at other financial factors and determine the alimony. For example, if one of the parents can pay alimony but not have any income, that person might get more alimony in a divorce. A great tool to roughly calculate alimony in a divorce can be found here.

If you both have to spend all your money during the divorce, the wife might end up paying more for alimony than the husband. If you are struggling, and have the ability to pay, you might try working with a lawyer to negotiate a lower alimony figure.

TO SUMMARIZE: HOW MUCH DOES A DIVORCE LAWYER COST?

 

Attorney Allen estimates the average legal fee for a Colorado Springs divorce case involving a spouse seeking alimony at about $4,500 to $7,000.

GET A FREE CONSULTATION WITH A TOP DIVORCE LAWYER

 

Find out “how much does a divorce lawyer cost?” in your situation by booking a free review with leading Colorado Springs Divorce Attorney Michael T. Allen today.  

Mike Allen is humble, down to earth, compassionate, and understanding how difficult your current situation is.  Above all else, attorney Allen delivers the results that clients need for a fresh start in life.