If it is time to end your marriage, in Ohio, getting a divorce is generally going to be your only option. However, you do have options when it comes to how to proceed with your divorce. Each option has its own benefits and limitations; and, if you are like most people, cost will be a factor as well. So, how much does it cost to get divorced?
The answer depends on a number of different factors. These include not only the option you choose for your divorce but in many ways, what happens during your divorce as well. Of course, your personal and family circumstances will also come into play, as will your assets and finances. While some sources have suggested an average range of $15,000 to $30,000 for a contested divorce, the reality is that you cannot predict the cost of your divorce without a careful assessment of the factors involved.
Certainly, the cost of an uncontested divorce (also called a dissolution) will be much lower, and methods such as collaborative law can significantly reduce the cost of your divorce as well.
Factors that Will Affect the Cost of Your Divorce
Type and Method of Divorce
The factors that affect the cost of your divorce start before you even begin the divorce process. This is because the type and method of divorce you choose will greatly affect the overall cost of your divorce. There are two main “types” of divorce in Ohio:
- Uncontested (in which the spouses agree on all issues and jointly file a divorce petition with the court); and,
- Contested (in which the parties use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods or go to court in order to resolve their differences).
When spouses are not fully in agreement on the terms of their divorce (which is often the case), they have a few different options as far as the “methods” for resolving their differences.
One option is mediation, which involves the spouses working with a neutral third party who helps them see each other’s points of view. Another option is a collaborative divorce, which involves working within a structured framework and under an agreement not to take your divorce to court. The third – and typically most expensive – option is going to court and asking a judge to determine the outcome of your divorce.
Personal and Family Circumstances
Your personal and family circumstances will also play at least a limited role in determining the cost of your divorce. Do you have children? Will you be seeking alimony or child support? Is your spouse willing to agree to the uncontested divorce or to use the collaborative process? These are all factors that will affect the time involved – and therefore the cost involved – in finalizing your divorce.
Assets and Finances
Finally, your assets and finances will play a role in determining the cost of your divorce as well. Generally speaking, the more assets you have and the more complicated your finances, the more expensive it will be to work out the terms of your divorce. For example, you and your spouse may find it difficult to agree on how to divide certain assets (such as the family home), and it may be necessary to hire a forensic accountant or another financial expert to make sure that you are receiving your fair share in your divorce.
Common Costs in Ohio Divorces
Typically, the costs of divorce fall into a handful of primary categories. These are:
- Legal fees
- Court costs
- Fees for experts and professionals (such as family counselors and accountants)
- Mediation expenses
- Taxes
To get a better idea of how much your divorce will cost, feel free to schedule a complimentary divorce consultation at Laubacher & Co. today.
Laubacher & Co. | Experienced Divorce Attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio
The attorneys at Laubacher & Co. have decades of experience representing clients in Ohio divorces. If you live in the Cleveland area and would like to speak with one of our lawyers for free, call (440) 336-8687 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.