Getting a divorce in California can be expensive. The total cost of divorce will vary based on the number of issues involved and how much time the process takes. You can control the costs if you file an uncontested divorce.
Expenses in a California divorce include court fees, attorney fees, and expert fees. Attorney fees account for seventy percent of the total cost of divorce. The average billable hour is around $330, though the costs vary considerably by region and the type of divorce you’re pursuing.
Other costs include a child custody evaluation and a court-ordered guardianship. These expenses can be as high as tens of thousands of dollars.
If you are filing for divorce in California and are financially strapped, you might want to consider alternative dispute resolution methods. These methods can save you time, money, and flexibility, and you can even set your own terms.
Divorce attorneys can charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour. Your attorney may also charge you for copies of documents, appraisals, and witnesses.
The real cost of getting a divorce can be tens of thousands of dollars, but you can control the amount of money you spend by opting for an uncontested divorce.