If you are looking at going through with a divorce in Chicago, one of the first questions you may have is “how much will this cost?” This is a very difficult question to answer as there is nothing set in stone. One divorce may cost more than another, and it also depends on if there is some sort of agreement between you and your soon-to-be-former-spouse or not. However, there are a few ways you can ballpark the cost of divorce in Chicago when going through Chicago family law attorneys.
First of all, there is the cost per hour of having an attorney. This is going to run you, on average, $250 an hour. Granted, this is an average, so it can go higher or lower. Having a lawyer now is very important. You need to protect yourself and make sure you receive the proper defense and representation. Whether you are still amicable with your former spouse or not, a lawyer ensures you receive what you deserve and are not taken advantage of. Without a lawyer, you put yourself at great risk.
The next step is how long. If you do not have many assets or if it is rather straightforward, it shouldn’t take more than a handful of hours. However, if there is fighting between the two of you and if it is drawn out before a judge (this is especially the case when custody is involved with the divorce) it can end up costing you close to $15,000 in fees, most of which are attorney fees. Attorney fees are the bulk of any divorce, so even if the two of you no longer get along, if you can work together through the divorce, you both can walk away relatively unscathed. No matter how long it takes, Michael P. Doman will be on your side and there to properly represent and defend you.