Great Answers posted here! Thx.My divorce costs were epic..... between my Ex and I, just around $300...

1. How much does a divorce cost?
Great Answers posted here! Thx.
My divorce costs were epic..... between my Ex and I, just around $300,000.00, not withstanding all
the emotional roller-coaster rides during the nearly two years. In my case, I spent the first nearly 6
mos w/out an attorney, my Ex had a known barracuda, however each court visit seemed to be
moving in a positive direction....right up until my Ex kept wanting more .. and more .. and more - and
then she dropped the mother of all bombs wanting and demanding to have full legal and physical
custody of the kids. My story unfortunately is a sad and unfortunate situation, but suffice to say, I
think forums of this nature is very important to help those considering divorce... to use the KISS
policy .. Keep It Simple Silly (stupid ..lol).
You and your spouse need to get over whatever the fight is and make it amicable for everyone
involved and for your finances! Split your stuff 50/50%, come up with a fair monthly spousal
payment..that neither of you will likely agree on, however understand that TWO separate households
and expenses will need to be paid for, so don't expect the "earning" spouse to pay through the nose...
that may satisfy one spouse initially, however in the majority of cases it will eventually hurt and
harm everyone.
So How much do divorces costs? Between what I have experienced and several friends, the costs is
all over the map, however the answers on this blog are pretty right on.
Based on CA only:
Easy Divorce / No Attorney in : Should be no more than $1,000 - $2,000
Easy Divorce / Shared Attorney to help draft documents and complete through court .. Should be
around $3,000 - $5,000
Easy Divorce / Each one has Attorney: Basically Double the above numbers ~ $10,000
Moderate Divorce: $15K - $30K
Difficult Divorce: $30K-$100K
Contentious High Conflict Divorce: $100K Plus .. and again in my case, total cost so far for both
attorney's $300K
Costs:
Filings: ~ $400 - $500 - Initial Filing Fee w/ Clerk,
Additional Motions ($40),
Process Server's Fees ($50)

2. Extra Copies (need 3 copies, one for clerk, one for petitioner /respondent, Serving, etc:
ATTORNEY'S: Retainer $5K - $10K w/ a per hour cost of $250 - $500 / Hour
Phone Calls, Emails, Fax's, Written Documents ... charge on fractions for their hourly charge. Don't
forget that both attorney's are more than happy to talk to you about the weather etc, etc .. but don't
forget that they are typically logging those hours and will charge you against your "Retainer" and
then ask you for more!
Contested Issues ~ approx cost per visit to the court: Filing's / Prepping / Discussions w/ you about
the case / Going Court: ~ $2,500 - $5,000 not including experts, if needed.
Vocational Evaluation - To determine your "Ability to Earn" ... not necessarily what you truly earn:
$2,500.00 (however this cost is usually split between parties).. not including lost work, driving to
and from Evaluator etc, etc
730 Evaluation (Very Specific Evaluation to help the court determine very specific issues) $7,500.00
Physiologist Forensic Specialists: $5,000 - $15,000 or more
Lost Work / Travel Expenses / Misc "crap" ... $$$$
Human Toll on you and your children - Priceless!
Your Home / Assets - If you have wonderful equity and $$$ and attorney's are involved... you can bet
that the majority of Attorney's (not all), are going to take note and will fight until all the cash is used
up ... and then there is no more fight! I know as this was the case in my situation.
All for what? GREED
Hug your children .. from a loving Father to Both Moms and Dads...