Getting a divorce is not only an emotional undertaking but also a financially taxing one. Indeed, even if your divorce is resolved quickly and without much conflict, there will still be some fees and costs incurred during the process, including filing fees, court fees, and attorneys’ fees. The longer your divorce drags on for and the more contested it is, the more expensive that it will be.
Some couples wind up spending tens of thousands of dollars on their divorce. If you’re getting a divorce, it’s important to have an understanding of the various costs that you’re likely to incur throughout the process and who may be responsible for paying for them. Here’s what you should know–
Costs in a Divorce
The costs that you incur during a divorce will depend on how long your divorce takes to settle, whether or not your divorce is contested or uncontested, how much you spend on outside costs (such as experts’ fees), and how much your divorce attorney charges. For obvious reasons, the more complex your divorce case is and the longer it takes to settle, the more expensive it will be.
Common costs that are associated with a divorce include:
- Attorneys’ fees;
- Divorce filing fees;
- Fees for expert witnesses, private investigator services, etc.;
- Court reporter fees during deposition;
- Fees associated with acquiring and copying documents; and
- More.
You might also incur fees in the form of conciliatory services, such as court-ordered mediation or family therapy costs.
For a free legal consultation, call (419) 930-3030
Who Pays for Costs in a Divorce?
Going into an Ohio divorce, it’s best to assume that you’ll pay for your own costs associated with the divorce, and your spouse will pay for their own costs. For example, you’ll pay your own lawyer and they’ll pay theirs; you’ll pay for any expert services you hire, and they’ll pay for theirs, etc. However, there may be shared costs in a divorce, such as the costs of court-ordered mediation. What’s more, one spouse may be much more financially able to afford the costs of a divorce than the other, leading to inequity in the process. When this is the case, the court may order one spouse to pay for some or all of the other’s legal fees associated with a divorce. For example, if one partner in the relationship is the primary breadwinner for the family and is ordered to pay ongoing spousal maintenance to the other, this spouse may also be ordered to pay for the other’s attorney and other legal fees during the divorce.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Contact a Divorce Attorney to Learn More
If you have questions about paying for a divorce and whether or not you will be responsible for paying for your spouse’s legal fees or whether your spouse may be ordered to pay for yours, it’s best to speak to an attorney. Having a firm understanding of how much a divorce may cost as you enter the divorce process is strongly recommended, regardless of who may end up paying for it.
To learn more about getting a divorce in Ohio and the services offered by our experienced Ohio divorce lawyers, please call Groth & Associates today or send us a message requesting a consultation.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form