The cost of any divorce case will vary and it is difficult to determine or estimate the cost. It is a given, though, that litigation is expensive. Once a divorce case has been filed, the parties are required attend numerous hearings that require preparation by your attorney. And, in order to prepare, your attorney will request information from your spouse through a formal information exchange process called “discovery”. And, you can expect your spouse’s attorney to request the same from you, which will require the assistance of your attorney to prepare your responses. There is usually a discovery battle that follows – arguing in court over what information was not provided and why. There will also be depositions of witnesses. It is possible subpoenas will be required. And, then there is the trial preparation and, finally, the divorce trial.
One way to avoid the extremely high costs of litigation is to choose an alternative process like collaborative divorce. A collaborative divorce costs much less than a litigated divorce because it’s a much more efficient process. You will have a team of professionals that will assist you and your spouse obtain the information needed for you to be able to make decisions for the benefit of you and your family. The team is comprised of your attorney, your spouse’s attorney, a neutral family coach, and a neutral financial professional. Collaborative divorce is a transparent process, requiring both parties to informally engage in the “discovery” process and voluntarily provide all of their financial information. The team is there to support you and your spouse, not cause conflict that adds to the delay and cost of terminating your marriage.