If you’re thinking about getting a divorce, you’ve probably wondered if cheap divorce lawyers in Texas exist. The answer to that question is, “Yes.” Cheap divorce lawyers in Texas do exist; however, if you settle for a “cheap” divorce lawyer, your divorce could go worse than expected, and you might spend more money to fix it.
To explain why that is, you must first understand a little more about the cost of a divorce in Texas. Let’s go ahead and cover the basics.
How much is the average cost of a divorce in Texas?
First things first, how much are the average divorce costs in Texas? Although the numbers vary widely, the average Texas divorce hovers around $16,000 (according to a Martindale Nolo’s 2015 nationwide divorce study).
However, that number can go up or down depending on the complexity of the case or how the parties in the divorce are currently treating each other. Divorces that include complex property litigation or custody issues can easily shoot past the $20,000 or $30,000 mark.
Wondering why the cost of a divorce is so expensive? First, you have to factor in the hourly rate of a divorce lawyer, and then add divorce expenses, such as filing fees, serving documents, mediation, appraisals, discovery, and more. These costs can add up quickly.
On top of these expenses, it’s important to know that you can’t typically get yourself through a divorce quickly. For example, have you ever asked yourself, “How long do you have to be separated before you can divorce in Texas?” The answer is 60 days after you file. Minimum.
In short, divorce proceedings take time — on average, between 6 months and 18 months. And the more complicated your situation, the longer it will take.
What can affect the cost of divorce in Texas?
As we mentioned earlier, the average cost of a divorce can range between $15,000 to $20,000 — and then upwards of $30,000. Not only is that a ton of money, but it’s a big difference, and it’s only natural to question why.
Here’s why divorce costs can differ so drastically:
- Each disagreement in a divorce requires more time and attention from your lawyer, which adds up. Think about all the thought and time that goes into deciding on ownership as something as relatively simple as a family pet or something as complicated who gets the house in a Texas divorce. Even with prenuptial and/or postnuptial agreements in Texas, figuring out a middle ground on issues such as these can be a long, drawn-out legal process.
- If you’re going through a “fault-based” divorce, your divorce process will almost certainly cost more. This is because you’re saying that the divorce is the “fault” of the other spouse, with faults ranging from abuse to adultery and more. If you choose to petition for divorce or have filed for divorce under these circumstances, your divorce lawyer will need to find evidence of those allegations.
- If you and your spouse have kids, you can almost always expect to pay more for the divorce. This is mostly due to the fact that handling child custody arrangements requires a great deal of care, time, and mediation. Have children? Here are some smart steps by one of the best child custody lawyers in Houston.
What can make divorce in Texas cheaper?
If you’re still wanting to hire a cheap divorce lawyer in Texas, keep in mind that there are other ways to make divorce cheaper, some more realistic than others:
- Many attorneys offer an uncontested divorce price. If you and your spouse are on good terms you can come to an agreement beforehand and reduce the cost of an attorney by having them only prepare your paperwork. This process is referred to as an uncontested divorce, which is more common for couples who don’t own collective property, haven’t had children or are in agreement on how to handle them, and/or haven’t been with each other for very long. How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Texas, you ask? Again, this will depend on your situation but, in general, uncontested divorces are much cheaper than the average divorce rate by averaging a couple hundred dollars to a couple thousand.
- Some couples might have success using an online service, but we don’t recommend it. This process might seem streamlined, but if there are any potential disagreements between you and your spouse, you will encounter additional financial burdens. Additionally, if your paperwork is not in the form accepted by a Texas court, you will be out that money plus the money you will have to pay a licensed attorney to fix your mistakes.
- If you and your partner are filing for a no-fault divorce in Texas, then you can avoid the extra fees that come with working through a fault-based divorce.
- The best way to save money while filing for a divorce? Hire a high-quality lawyer. This idea may seem counterintuitive, but a good lawyer can help you cut down on unexpected costs and will keep you from spending more time on your divorce than necessary. Wondering if you’ve already hired a dud? Check out these signs of a bad lawyer.
Avoid cheap divorce lawyers in Texas and go with a pro
Divorce isn’t a pleasant situation, but hiring cheap divorce lawyers in Texas can make it a lot worse. With a quality law firm like Thiessen Law Firm at your side, you can make your divorce proceedings a lot less complicated and time-consuming and get on with your life faster.
Our Texas family law attorney, Taly Thiessen, is one of the best in the state of Texas, and we can give you the guidance and assistance you need to overcome this stressful situation. Request a consultation online today.
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