A Rundown of the Costs Associated with Divorce

It is impossible to know exactly how much an average divorce will cost ahead of time, as each divorce is unique. However, you can at least get an idea of the factors that will go into determining the overall financial impact of the divorce.

The following are a few of those factors:

• Your relationship with your spouse. A contentious divorce will almost always cost more than a relatively amicable divorce. Divorces in which emotions are running high and spill over into major conflict are more likely to result in long, drawn-out courtroom procedures. As soon as the divorce goes to court, costs skyrocket.
• Your attorney. The amount of money your attorney charges obviously plays a role in how much you can expect to pay. You can ask your divorce lawyer whether fees are paid on a flat or hourly rate, and what other types of costs you need to cover.
• How you’re getting divorced. Mediation is usually much less expensive than going to court. Some couples go to mediation without legal representation, while others hire divorce attorneys to work with them and consult them along the way. Court is by far the most expensive type of divorce proceeding, as it is lengthy and there are more expenses associated with the process.
• What you have. The more assets you have, the more your divorce is likely to cost, especially if most of those assets were obtained during the course of your marriage. A divorce lawyer will perform a thorough analysis of your estate to determine the value of all of the assets you own in preparation for the asset division process.

If you need sound legal guidance as you go through a divorce in Long Island, speak with a respected family law attorney at Bryan L. Salamone & Associates.