Can You Afford To Get Divorced?
How much is your divorce going to cost you in legal fees?
I’m Katherine Miller, founder of the Miller Law Group. I’ve been a divorce attorney in New York City, New York State, and Connecticut for over 30 years.
People ask me all the time: “How much is it going to cost, and how long is it going to take?” So, let me tell you what I tell them.
In our office, the average cost for legal fees—just for us—is around $25,000. Of course, there are often additional fees for the other lawyer, a mediator if there is one, and possibly other professionals. It could be more or less depending on your situation.
But instead of focusing only on making your divorce cheaper, I encourage clients to think about getting the most value out of every dollar they spend on legal fees.
Divorce is complicated. There’s a lot that goes into it. At the end, you’ll likely sign a 65–85 page—or even longer—agreement if there’s no litigation or if litigation ends in settlement. That agreement covers a wide range of important issues.
We’ll develop a parenting plan if you have children under 18. We’ll divide your assets and liabilities. We’ll work through cash flow considerations for alimony, child support, or whatever else is needed. And along the way, we’ll have to gather a lot of information.
You want to make sure that the money you’re spending is being used in a way that makes sense for you—so you get the best deal possible.
Now, a good deal for you might also be a good deal for your spouse. Divorce doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game where one person wins and the other loses. Working toward win-win solutions can actually help you get more value for your money.
Another way to get more value is to use your lawyer as a lawyer—not as a therapist. Focus on telling us what’s really important to you, but try not to use your lawyer as a place to vent every frustration about your spouse or ex-spouse.
Don’t hesitate to reach out on our email address info@miller-law.com or call us at (914) 685-9805. Thanks for listening.