You have questions, we have answers. Divorce isn’t easy, but we’re here to make it better. Let’s answer your top questions and kickstart your journey!
Q. What is the average cost of divorce?
Short answer – It varies based on things like where you divorce, the complexity of your situation, and whether you and your ex will willingly work together.
Mediation and uncontested divorces are the most budget-friendly ways to split, so it’s definitely worth seeing if they’re a good fit for your situation. Not every divorce can start off on friendly terms, but saving money is a pretty good reason to try!
If you file a contested divorce (which could still settle later), you can expect costs around $10,000 to $15,000. But if things get complicated with lots of back-and-forth and contested issues, those fees can quickly jump to $30,000, $40,000, or even more before trial.
Q. How long will it take?
Divorces in the U.S. can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to finalize, depending on your unique situation. Generally, divorces settle within 12-18 months.
How long your divorce takes depends on several factors—like how long you were married, the complexity of your assets and debts, whether you have kids, your ability to collaborate and compromise, your jurisdiction, and the support team you have in place.
Q. What’s the difference between mediation and traditional divorce?
When most people think of divorce, they picture a messy courtroom battle with a judge calling the shots—that’s the traditional litigation route. But….. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!
Many couples choose to handle things privately through mediation ⬇
MEDIATION = A process in which a divorcing couple works with a mediator (a neutral professional trained in problem solving) to communicate and negotiate all aspects of divorce, such as property division, child custody, and financial matters.
Mediation offers a refreshing alternative to expensive, time-intensive, and high-conflict courtroom litigation. And it can happen before or after filing for divorce.
Q. What happens to my home?
If one of you wants to stay in the marital home, the first step is figuring out what it’s worth. You’ve got a few options –
- Agree on a fair market value together
- Get a joint appraisal
- Each get your own appraisal
Pro Tip → A joint appraisal is usually the way to go — it saves you from the hassle of competing appraisals with wildly different numbers. Often called a “battle of the experts.”
Once you’ve got the value, subtract any mortgages, HELOCs, or liens to figure out the equity. If you’re aiming for a 50/50 split, the person keeping the home would pay half of that equity to buy out their spouse’s share.
✨Talk to a legal professional for more detailed info about your specific situation. Check out our article on marital property and divorce. Learn more about capital gains tax on the sale of your marital home here.
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