Divorces can be quite complicated. There are always a lot of factors to consider and address throughout the process.
It often requires filling out and keeping on top of a lot of paperwork. It can be tedious, especially in contested divorces or divorces that are filled with unsettled issues and disagreements.
Moreover, getting a divorce isn’t cheap. There are fees involved and, especially if you hire a lawyer, the costs can add up quickly. How much a divorce typically costs will vary from state to state. In this article we talk about the costs of a divorce in California.
California is generally one of the most expensive states to live in. Thus, you may expect the costs of divorce to be high there. But is that the case? How much does a divorce cost in California for the average person?
Below we take a look at how much you can expect the typical divorce to cost in the state of California. Also, you’ll learn about the factors that will affect the cost of a divorce in California.
So let us dive deeper into it.
How Much Does A Divorce Cost In California?
The average cost of a divorce in the U.S. as a whole ranges from $10,000 to $15,000. As you might expect, California divorces tend to cost a bit more than average.
In the state of California, the average cost of having a divorce is about $17,500. However, this fluctuates depending on whether there are children in the family or not. The average cost of divorce with kids in California is $26,300.
Filing fees also differ on a state by state basis. The average filing fees for a divorce in California is $435 for an uncontested divorce.
More Factors Affecting Price of Divorce
The exact costs of your divorce will depend on many factors. One of the factors that will affect the cost of your divorce is whether it is contested or uncontested.
A contested divorce is one that involves one or more issues such as the previously mentioned issues revolving around children, like child support and child alimony.
There may also other issues that are involved in a divorce case such as spousal support, division of property and more. And when any or all of these things are contested they make divorce longer and more expensive.
A contested divorce is much more expensive due to the amount of effort that will be put into settling issues between the parties. Another important aspect that will affect the overall costs of a divorce is the appeal.
Of course in a divorce, especially a contested one, a divorce lawyer can be necessary. And hiring a divorce lawyer can up the overall fees of a divorce.
Cost of Divorce Lawyers in California
The national average cost of hiring a divorce lawyer is $250 per hour. But in California, the average cost of a divorce lawyer can range from $250 to $950 per hour.
The state of California is a no-fault divorce state. This means that you or your spouse do not necessarily need to allege each other’s faults.
A fault-based divorce is more expensive compared to a no-fault divorce. The reason why a fault-based divorce is more expensive compared to a no-fault divorce is because of the time and effort that will be put into proving the defendant’s fault.
So, as you can see, divorce in California can be significantly pricier than the national average cost of a divorce.