If you’ve ever been involved in the divorce process, you probably understand that divorce can be complicated and costly for various reasons. Divorce is inherently a stressful time in anyone’s life, but the financial aspects can make the process even more adverse for some people. Are you an Illinois resident considering divorce and wondering how much you’ll be expected to pay throughout the process? Read this blog or contact a Morton Divorce Lawyer today to learn about the cost of divorce in Illinois.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE AVERAGE DIVORCE PROCESS IN ILLINOIS?
In general, the estimated total cost for Illinois divorces is around $15,000. However, the range of divorce costs varies greatly depending on the circumstances of the divorce. Spouses will need to pay to file divorce papers in a courthouse along with the costs of attorneys or other professionals to aid in the process. In general, divorces for high-net-worth couples cost more than the average divorce because the process usually becomes much more complicated the more assets that are involved. The cost could also depend on how many children the couple has, especially if both spouses are fighting to get custody of the children. There are also expenses for child support and more.
WHAT AFFECTS DIVORCE COSTS?
There are many other factors that could affect how much the divorce will cost for each spouse. Generally, the more complicated a divorce process is, the more expensive it will be for the divorcing parties. If both spouses are in agreement about divorce settlements, the process will be less expensive because there will likely be fewer legal battles. The cheapest way to handle divorce is by filing the papers in a courthouse yourself. However, spouses will still have to pay at least a few hundred dollars even if neither of them hires a lawyer. Divorcing spouses are required to pay to file the divorce documents, respond to their ex-spouse’s divorce papers, and hire a process server to deliver the divorce papers.
Uncontested divorces are the least expensive type of divorce, while mediation is the second least expensive method. Litigation is far more expensive because not only do you need to hire an attorney but you also will need to pay court fees throughout the process. There’s also more preparation involved, and if the spouses can’t agree then the process will just get extended.
Hiring a divorce attorney can be costly, but it’s worth the money if it means a better situation for you in the future. An experienced and compassionate divorce lawyer can guide you through the process and provide legal counseling with your best interests in mind. Divorce is a daunting process, but you don’t need to do it alone! Contact Butler, Giruado & Meister, P.C. today for an initial consultation.
