One of the main stressors of divorce is the conventionally high legal fees that follow suit. And the longer your divorce takes to finalize, the longer your legal bill will be. But what kind of Orange County divorce attorney fees can you expect – and what are the factors that play into that final cost?
Before filing for divorce, it’ll serve you well to understand the legal fees and how that number is drawn up. And if litigation proves too costly, collaborative couples can cut those costs down by consulting an Orange County divorce mediator.
Average Orange County Divorce Attorney Fees
Orange County divorce attorney fees can range from as little as $450, which is the filing fee in Orange County, to several thousand once attorneys are involved. Once you’ve hired a lawyer, your fees will depend on how well you and your spouse collaborate, as well as how complex your marital issues are.
The ideal route is for you and your spouse to agree to settlement terms early in the case, since your costs will be far lower with fewer court hearings. An “easy” case that follows this trajectory averages a few thousand dollars, with costs going up from there. At The Law Offices of Jennifer Owens, we generally charge an initial retainer of $5,000, though this varies depending on the complexity of the case.
Divorce Attorney Pricing Factors
Orange County divorce attorney fees for litigation have a stigma for being pricey. And although the law is designed to keep things affordable, the system is far from perfect. Once you’ve filed for divorce and hired an attorney, your costs will depend on how cooperative you and your spouse can be, as well as the complexity of your marital issues. There are a handful of factors that can render a divorce suit more complex, and therefore more expensive:
- Arguments over child custody,
- If there are one or more real properties,
- If you or your spouse are self-employed,
- If you and your spouse simply can’t get along,
- When there’s a premarital agreement in place,
- When you or your spouse have unreasonable lawyers,
- If you both have retirement accounts and/or pensions,
- If any domestic violence ensured during your marriage,
- If you or your spouse don’t accurately disclose all financial information
Cut Orange County Divorce Attorney Fees with Divorce Mediation
Divorce doesn’t require pricey litigation. In fact, many couples find mediation to help with reaching agreeable solutions at a fraction of the price. If litigation proves too costly, and you and your spouse are willing to collaborate, we’d suggest consulting an Orange County divorce mediator to save time, money, and energy with a more peaceful approach.
Consult the Law Offices of Jennifer Owens Regarding Your Orange County Custody Battle
Divorce is an emotional journey to endure. On top of the bitterness and anger which often result from a formal separation, the subsequent legal battles tend to make the whole process even more painful. At the Law Offices of Jennifer Owens, we revel in the power of choice. When spouses face divorce, they’re presented with a slew of decisions with a handful of potential outcomes. Our attorneys are believers in the best possible outcome, where a former couple chooses peace over destruction so that they can finally move on to their next chapter. We can help with that. No matter your desired path – divorce mediation, a negotiated settlement, or even litigation – The Law Offices of Jennifer Owens will achieve the best possible outcome by reaching a settlement that keeps all involved parties in mind. Visit our website to review our family law services or contact us online for a free consultation.