Divorce can be a very painful and slow process, and the lead up to making the decision to part ways with a spouse is sadly just one difficult step in an emotionally exhausting, physically tiring, and potentially extremely costly process
In this article we’ll grapple with the question, “How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Virginia?” as well as should you be looking to part ways with your husband or wife. We’ll also investigate how much a divorce can cost on average in the state of Virginia, thanks to its particular state laws. Finally, we’ll look at instances that can make divorce costs escalate far beyond the average price. In doing so, anyone who’s looking to keep costs to a bare minimum can avoid the circumstances that make them spiral.
How much does a divorce lawyer in Virginia cost?
The average cost of a divorce lawyer will vary according to where your lawyer is located and how much experience they have. It’s often the case that lawyers in urban areas and heavily populated cities like Richmond or Norfolk will have higher costs. Additionally, you will always pay more for a lawyer who has far more experience in carrying out divorce proceedings than someone straight out of law school.
In general, you can expect to pay around $300 an hour for a lawyer in Virginia to take care of your divorce.
How much does a divorce cost in Virginia?
Sadly, lawyer costs are only one part of your entire divorce bill. There are many other factors that add up to what a divorce will eventually cost you. Firstly, there are the court costs. Then there are the costs involved with having to serve your spouse papers as well as any other legal paperwork that you may have to complete. Pretty much every step of the process will have a cost associated with it. Plus, remember that you will need to use more than just an hour of your lawyer’s time. The result is their fee can be exceptionally hefty as they help you push all the legal requirements through the court to get you the best settlement you can.
Overall, the average divorce in Virginia can cost about $13,000 — but this can be lower if you manage to work with your spouse to make the process as smooth as possible. Due to many situations being acrimonious and complicated, however, costs can become much, much higher.
Why divorce costs can escalate
There are a number of reasons that costs in a divorce in Virginia can escalate. Anyone of them can cause enough of an issue for a divorce to cost more than the average $13,000. However, if more of the below issues are present, the process becomes that much more complicated and that much more likely to have a large bill.
Asset division
Division of assets is often where many arguments start for soon to be ex-couples. For this reason, more time is required of both lawyers and judges to rule who should get what. Many couples’ lives become so entwined that dividing assets is never straightforward, which means that when individuals are unwilling to give an inch, it can make the situation far more complex.
Child custody
When children are involved, a divorce is far more likely to be a lot more complicated. Parents often fight for custody which is where time and costs come into play. It’s often an area that neither party is willing to compromise on, which is why it can take so long for the situation to be resolved.
Contested divorces
A contested divorce is one where there are other issues in addition to asset division and child custody to resolve. Factors like alimony need to be addressed as well as why the couple are getting divorced in the first place. All of these issues can cause problems in the overall process — which take time to smooth out as the price tag goes up.