What Factors Can Affect the Cost of My Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on April 19, 2021 in Divorce

One of the first questions most people have when they find themselves beginning to look into the possibility of divorce is how much the divorce process will cost. One of the well-known facts about divorce is that it is not cheap. According to a recent article in USA Today, the average cost of a divorce ranges from $8,400 to $17,500, when all factors are accounted for, so clearly, there is no one price tag that you can put on every divorce. The actual final cost of your divorce will end up being based on a variety of factors, with one of the biggest factors being the cost of your divorce lawyer.

Factors Affecting the Cost of a Divorce

One of the basic factors that affects the cost of a divorce is simply where you live. In states and cities with higher costs of living, the cost of getting a divorce is likely to be higher. In states that have a lower-than-average cost of living, the cost of getting a divorce is also likely to be lower. Some of the other factors that can affect the cost of your divorce include:

• Your attorney’s hourly fees. One of the biggest contributors to the cost will be the amount you pay to your attorney. The majority of people who get divorced hire a lawyer, as they can assist you greatly throughout the process. USA Today reported recently that the average rate for a divorce lawyer is $270 per hour.

• Whether you involve the court in the divorce process. In almost all divorce cases, it will be less expensive to settle your issues outside of court, rather than going through a trial. The study that USA Today references states that divorces settled out of court cost on average around $10,600, while divorces that go to trial can cost double that amount or more.

• Whether or not you have children. Having children can often add to the cost of your divorce, especially if you and your spouse do not agree on issues pertaining to your children. Divorcing with children, but without disputes, averages around $10,100, while divorcing with children when you disagree on child issues averages around $15,500, per the USA Today study.

Contact Our Hillside, IL Divorce Lawyer

No two divorces are going to be the same, so no two divorces are going to cost the same. The final cost of a divorce is going to greatly depend on the factors pertaining to your individual situation, which is why you should speak to a highly-rated Oak Park, IL divorce attorney if you are thinking of filing for divorce. At the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., we can help you understand the options available to you for your divorce. To schedule a free consultation and get started discussing your case, call our office today at 708-449-7404.

Sources:

https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/average-cost-of-divorce/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/01/21/divorce-how-much-it-costs-to-get-divorced-in-every-state/41010675/

https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/smart-money/how-much-does-divorce-cost/