Cost of a Divorce Attorney in Baltimore
The end of a marriage is never easy. Once a couple has finally made the difficult decision to move forward with separation and divorce, they will have many questions concerning the process and their legal rights. Hiring an experienced Baltimore divorce attorney should be on the top of anyone’s list. However, cost is always a concern. How expensive is legal representation?
On average, a divorce in Maryland will cost each party approximately $11,000 to $13,500. This amount covers attorney’s fees, paralegal and staff services, document creation, filing fees, and court costs. However, it is important to understand that this number is merely an average – your particular circumstances will impact the cost of a divorce.
At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, our experienced Baltimore divorce attorneys understand that this is an emotionally and financially challenging time. We are committed to providing our clients with professional and sympathetic representation while working vigorously to settle disputes that could inflate the cost of a divorce. To discuss your case in a free consultation, call our law offices at (410) 431-0911.
What Impacts the Cost of a Baltimore Divorce?
The approximate average of divorce in Baltimore ranges between $11,000 and $13,500 per spouse. However, numerous factors will affect the cost of a divorce proceeding.
Minor Children
If you have children under the age of 18, the cost of your divorce will likely increase. When there are disputes regarding child custody or child support, the cost of a divorce in Baltimore could nearly double. One way to diminish the impact of the issues surrounding minor children is to reach an agreement before the divorce trial. If our Towson divorce attorneys are able to secure a workable arrangement with your spouse and their lawyer, it will decrease the amount of time and expense required for protracted hearings and court dates.
Property Division Disputes
When disputes arise in the distribution of marital property, especially when the couple has a high net worth and significant assets, attorney costs increase. If you need to go to trial to settle property distribution, expect to pay more than average for a divorce.
Settling and investigating property disputes require long hours of work and substantial documentation. This work will increase the cost of the proceedings. Valuing real property, personal property, bank accounts, investment accounts, and other assets often necessitates employing finance and tax experts. If the parties can come to an agreement without having to go to court, the costs will decrease.
Alimony Disputes
Another financial consideration that often results in disagreement between the parties is the amount of alimony paid to the non-working spouse. Calculating a fair amount and providing supporting evidence requires time and paperwork. This increases the number of hours your attorney will be working on your case, adding to your overall fees. As with every other type of dispute, if the parties can reach a settlement without a trial, it will lower the cost of the divorce.
The Impact of Disputes on the Cost and Time of a Baltimore Divorce
The disputes listed above are why some divorces in Baltimore cost more than others. When spouses cannot agree on how these issues should be addressed, their attorneys will have to argue in court. Court hearings require spending time collecting statements, financial documents, conducting depositions, and other evidence. In cases where a spouse refuses to comply, it might be necessary to file further motions with the court. Resolving disputes in court increases the time and paperwork.
Every issue that goes before the court will increase the cost of your divorce. On average, each contested dispute could increase the cost of your divorce by $5,000 to $8,000. Again, these numbers are estimates. Every case presents its own unique challenges. A child custody issue could concern an equitable division of overnight stays to a complicated case, including relocating the children.
The Cost of Fault and No-Fault Divorces in Baltimore
Couples in Maryland could file for a no-fault or fault divorce. In a no-fault divorce, the parties mutually consent to all issues regarding property division, alimony, and child custody and support. Another option is a mutual separation, where the parties have lived apart and separately for one year before filing for divorce. A no-fault divorce could cost substantially less than an average divorce because the parties have agreed on every possible dispute and issue.
A fault divorce is based on the conduct of one of the spouses, such as adultery, desertion, or cruelty. Additional grounds for a fault divorce in Baltimore include incarnation for a felony or confinement in a mental institution for an incurable mental condition.
Proving grounds for a fault divorce require hours of preparation and investigation. Our Maryland divorce lawyer must gather evidence to build a convincing case to present in court. For example, proving cruelty requires more than the testimony of the spouse who has alleged the abusive conduct. Our office will have to collect supporting evidence, such as medical records, police reports, and the testimony of third parties. Additionally, in fault divorces, the other problematic issues, such as child custody, alimony, and property distribution, are rarely settled without the court’s assistance.
Contact Our Baltimore Divorce Attorneys to Discuss Your Situation and Options
Going through a divorce is mentally, physically, and financially taxing. Our compassionate Rockville divorce attorneys are aware of the heightened emotional state many people experience. While providing a sympathetic ear, our lawyers will also provide a matter-of-fact professional assessment of your situation. Our office will thoroughly examine your case to determine if any potentially contested issues could be settled without the need for a trial. If that is not possible, the attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras provide aggressive representation. Call (410) 431-0911 to discuss your situation during a free consultation.