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    Going through a divorce is hard There are many circumstances that may lead to one that makes the process seem much harder than it is. When it comes to the financial aspects of the divorce, many people find themselves asking how much its going to cost them. If we just look at the price for filing a divorce in Florida, it averages to around $400; however, is not an accurate amount you should usually expect to pay. There are many other things to consider when analyzing the cost of a divorce that can cause you to pay more. In this article, we will analyze everything you should consider in the costs of a divorce.

Waiving Fees

If you have a lower income, there is a chance for you to have your court fees waived during a divorce. Civil Indigent Status is when the Clerk of the Court waives the cost of filing for your case. In order to qualify for civil indigent status, you must meet the criteria laid out by the state of Florida.

Uncontested Divorce

An uncontested divorce is when you are in complete agreement with your spouse on the terms of the divorce. Because of a divorce’s nature, an uncontested divorce is not the most common thing to see; however, they still happen. The overall cost of uncontested divorce will vary depending on the following factors:

• Filing without a lawyer – If you choose to file for an uncontested divorce without a lawyer, you will be paying the least possible amount for a divorce. This is not always a recommended option, however, as a lawyer can help keep track of important information related to the divorce.
• Filing online without a lawyer – This option can also be a lot cheaper than hiring a lawyer. Using an online service to help you with filing for an uncontested divorce can help you save money.
• Filing with a lawyer – This is usually the safest option when it comes to uncontested divorces; however, bear in mind that it is also the most expensive. A lawyer should take care of nearly everything in the divorce process, but they can be quite expensive. Some lawyers will have you pay an hourly rate, while others will have a set amount for their services.

It is also worth noting that if you choose to file without a lawyer, you will also need to serve your spouse with the necessary paperwork. This means you will need to hire a process server to deliver the documents.

Contested Divorce

A contested divorce is more commonly seen than an uncontested one. Contested divorces are much more expensive, and the amount you end will end up paying has a much larger range. In a contested divorce, you need to consider lawyer fees, your spouse’s ability to compromise, and the length of the process.

• Lawyer fees – The amount you pay your lawyer will be situational. Some lawyers will have an hourly rate, while some will have a set amount you pay them for the case.
• Spouse’s ability to compromise – If you and your spouse are unable to reach a compromise, you will end up spending a lot more on the case in the end.
• Length of the process – The time it takes for your divorce to be finished is what will ultimately determine the amount you pay. The previously two mentioned factors are what usually lengthen the process.

Collaborative Divorce

The concept of a collaborative divorce is somewhere between a contested and uncontested divorce. A collaborative divorce is when you and your spouse don’t agree on all aspects of the divorce but wish to negotiate them outside of court. Collaborative divorces are less expensive than contested divorces but more expensive than uncontested divorces. It is important for both parties in the divorce to be honest about everything disclosed. In a collaborative divorce, it is common for both spouses to have their own defense attorney who will enter a binding agreement.

More Factors that Affect the Cost of a Divorce

 Here is a list of some of the other factors that can determine how much you’ll be paying in a divorce:

• Property Division – In the state of Florida, a judge will determine property division based on what is fair and will not consider marital faults. As a result, they will have to gather quite a bit of evidence to determine what they believe to be fair. This can take a bit of time, which can ultimately increase the amount you pay.
• Minor Children – Having children under the age of 18 is something else to consider when determining the cost of a divorce. A custody battle can significantly raise the total you pay in a divorce. A judge will determine your children’s best interests, so this is another process that can take quite a bit of time as they collect evidence.
• Hiring Experts – In addition to hiring an attorney, there are some other experts you may end up needing to hire in a divorce. These can include a forensic accountant, child custody evaluators, and real estate assessors. These experts will require different amounts based on your specific case, but you should consider hiring them to make the process of gathering evidence easier.

How Much Do Lawyers Cost?

The cost of hiring a lawyer will vary, but in Florida, the average hourly rate will be around $300. Many lawyers will request a retainer before taking a case, which can average around $2,000 – $5,000. In a contested case, you should expect this amount to be bigger.