What are the Costs of Divorce?
How Much Does Divorce Cost?
Understandably, many individuals going into a divorce are concerned about the various costs. No two divorces are the same. Therefore no two divorces will take the same amount of time, deal with the exact same issues, and cost exactly the same amount. While there is no way to perfectly predict how much your divorce will cost, there are some key considerations which will affect the cost of your divorce, including the complexity of your divorce, your method of conflict resolution, and the willingness of each party to move towards the middle during the settlement process.
The divorce attorneys of Jacobs Berger understand that while it may not be the most important thing in the world, money is always an object when it comes do divorce. Our attorneys work closely to mitigate both the financial and emotional burdens of divorce for our Morris County divorce clients from towns like Morristown, Madison, Denville, Randolph, East Hanover, Rockaway, Dover, and across all of Northern New Jersey. Lean on our extensive experience to resolve your divorce without unnecessary time wasting or expenses.
Call our office today to learn about the divorce process and how we can best serve your needs in a strategic planning session with one of our experienced and qualified divorce and family law attorneys.
Divorce Lawyers Discuss the Complexity of Your Divorce Disputes
There is no such thing as a simple divorce. However, the complexity of each divorce is relative, and may range from mostly straightforward to incredibly complex and messy. Our Denville divorce lawyers may advise our clients to expect a slightly longer and more costly divorce if their divorce includes complicated disputes. Issues which may lead to a longer, and therefore more expensive legal process might include:
- High net-worth asset division
- The equitable division of owned businesses
- Contentious child custody disputes
- The equitable division or complex assets
As we will discuss further in the following sections, the primary factor is still the willingness of both spouses to be open, communicative, and reasonable throughout the divorce process. No matter how complex your divorce may seem, there is always a way to find an amicable settlement without unnecessary hang-ups.
Divorce and Family Law Attorneys Define Litigation vs. Mediation
Beyond the issues which must be resolved in your divorce are the conflict resolution methods you and your spouse choose. For example, each divorce is filed in New Jersey as either contested or uncontested. Uncontested divorce proceedings are faster than contested divorce, leading to quicker turnarounds, lowered legal fees, and ultimately a lower overall cost. In order to resolve existing issues, most couples choose one of two choices: litigation or mediation.
Litigation is essentially the action of taking your divorce to court and arguing in front of a judge. This form of conflict resolution has its place and will lead to a final judgement, but also carries longer wait times and higher costs.
Mediation involves out of court negotiations which are conducted by a neutral mediator or mediation attorney. Settlements reached through mediation are equally enforceable and reduce both the timeline and cost of divorce.
Mitigating the Costs of Divorce
There are a handful of ways by which our Madison divorce lawyers might be able to lessen the cost of your divorce. While the nuts and bolts costs of divorce such as filing fees remain mostly the same, the bulk of expensive divorces are spent on legal fees. It is important to work with an attorney who will make a concerted effort to keep your costs manageable and reasonable by taking the following steps:
- Working with your spouse and/or their attorney to avoid unnecessary litigation
- Offering alternative conflict resolution methods including mediation
- Settling differences outside of court so that you may file for uncontested divorce when possible
- Offering legal solutions which address your individual needs and concerns rather than trying to force your legal proceedings into a cookie-cutter solution
- Facilitating an environment of communication, cooperation, and working towards a mutually beneficial outcome which recognizes and addresses the needs and concerns of all parties involved
At the end of the day, avoiding a lengthy courtroom legal battle is the best way to keep the expenses of your divorce down. Some expenses may be unavoidable, but when working with experienced attorneys, you can rest assured that you are not paying more than you need to protect your family’s future.
Contact our Divorce and Family Law Attorneys Today
At Jacobs Berger, our divorce and family law attorneys take pride in offering reasonably priced legal service for our clients in Morris County towns such as Madison, Randolph, Morristown, Dover, East Hanover, Denville, Tewksbury, and across Northern New Jersey. Our firm views each divorce case we take as a new opportunity to help build a secure foundation for the future of our client and their family. We understand that divorce is more than dollars and cents, and we strive to serve the financial, the personal, and the emotional needs of our clients going through a difficult time.
If you have any questions or concerns when it comes to divorce and the associated costs, please contact us online or over the phone by calling our Morristown, NJ office at 973-354-4551 today for a strategic planning session regarding your case and how we can best serve your needs.
