On top of being emotionally difficult and time-consuming, the divorce process can be expensive.
During a divorce, there are numerous fees and expenses to consider. Consider your filing fees, service fees, and attorney’s fees, for instance.
Due to the numerous problems that must be litigated, a contentious divorce takes longer and costs more than one that is uncontested.
In addition, the cost of hiring a divorce attorney will make costs considerably higher. (However, not hiring a divorce attorney is very risky, especially in a contested divorce.)
When determining the entire cost of a divorce, it is also essential to consider your state of residence. Divorce fees differ from state to state.
So, how much does a divorce cost in Virginia?
Today, we will discuss the cost of a divorce in the state of Virginia, as well as the factors that affect these costs.
How Much Does A Divorce Cost In Virginia?
The average cost of a divorce in the United States ranges from $10,000 to $15,000. But it can get higher or lower than that.
In Virginia, the average cost of having a divorce ranges from $11,500 to $14,500.
One factor that plays a significant role in exactly what the cost end up being is whether there are children involved or not.
Filing fees also differ on a state-by-state basis. The average filing fee for a divorce in Virginia varies; use this calculator to find out. Filing fees in Virginia are within the range of the national average.
But the exact costs of your divorce will depend on many other factors. One of the factors that will affect the cost of your divorce is whether it is contested or uncontested.
Contested Versus Uncontested Divorce
A contested divorce is a divorce that involves one or many issues, such as child support and child alimony.
There are also other issues that are involved in a divorce case, such as spousal support, division of property, and more. And they make divorce more expensive.
A contested divorce is much more expensive because of the time and effort involved in settling issues. And another thing that will affect the overall costs of a divorce is whether or not one party appeals.
Of course, a divorce lawyer can be necessary for a divorce, especially a contested one. And hiring a divorce lawyer can up the overall fees of a divorce.
The national average cost of hiring a divorce lawyer ranges from $175 to $500 per hour. But in Virginia, the average cost of a divorce lawyer ranges from $300 to $350 per hour.
No-Fault Divorce
The state of Virginia is a no-fault divorce state. That means 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. Once again, the cost comes down to how much time and energy is involved in the case. A fault-based divorce is more expensive than a no-fault one because of the time and effort necessary to prove the defendant’s fault.
Divorce in Virginia is a little under the national average cost of a divorce, but the total costs may depend on the exact situation of your divorce. As you can see, divorce is no easy (or cheap) process. You will save money if you can get an uncontested, no-fault divorce.