💰 Divorce Lawyer Cost Breakdown
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Uncontested (no fight) | 1,500−1,500−5,000 |
| Contested (war in court) | 15,000−15,000−50,000+ |
| “Gray Divorce” (over 50) | 2X more (complex assets) |
⚖️ Cheap vs. Expensive Lawyers: Is It Worth It?
- $200/hour newbie = Might screw up custody
- $500/hour shark = Gets hidden assets uncovered
- Flat fee = Best for simple splits
💡 Hack: Use mediation ($3K total) instead of court.
📜 5 Sneaky Fees They Don’t Tell You About
- “Copying fees” ($0.50/page for paperwork)
- “Emergency motion” charges ($1K+ for urgent filings)
- “Consultant fees” (billing you for emails)
- “Process server” costs (100−100−300)
- Court fees (200−200−500, NON-refundable)
🔪 How to FIRE Your Lawyer (If They’re Ripping You Off)
- Check billing statements (demand itemized lists)
- File a complaint with the state bar (if they overbill)
- Switch to flat fee (if hourly is bleeding you dry)
📢 Final Tip: Negotiate alimony FIRST—lawyers drag cases to bill more.
