Divorce can be quite an intimidating experience, both emotionally and financially. It costs vary distantly in Texas, ranging from only a few hundred to over $20,000. The same can be really influenced by some factors that, in the end, truly affect the general cost of the process as a whole.
That said, in this article, we will establish how much a divorce costs in Texas including factors that can affect divorce costs.
Average Cost of Divorce in Texas
In Texas, a divorce on average without children runs about $15,600, with children about $23,500. Texas ranks as one of the states among the five most expensive states for divorce in the US. Hence, it is important to have this in mind before proceeding with dissolving your marriage.
Primary Cost Factors Related to Divorce
How much does a divorce cost in Texas?. According to the research of Martindale-Nolo, divorce attorneys charge generally $267 per hour.
Hiring an attorney may help in defending the financial interest of the person and can be helpful in increasing the probability of getting a good verdict, on one hand, but may increase the total cost of the divorce on the other hand.
If no agreement is settled outside the court, the legal fees will increase with the continuance of the case till the step of trial.
Many other factors can also take effect on divorce costs:
1. Filing Fees
There will always be some kind of filing fee associated with filing the original divorce papers in a Texas court. This generally runs from $209 to $287, but there can be a few varieties of miscellaneous costs involved.
2. Marital Assets
If there is a more complex division of assets, like multiple multiple properties, large retirement accounts or family businesses, it will be a factor. The more assets there are, the greater amount of time and skill will be necessary.
3. Children
Divorce can be more costly when children are involved. Custody, visiting rights, and child support are usually negotiated over time; that has very little disagreement.
4. Alimony
Alimony can become a cost factor, especially if one spouse shall pay alimony to the other. The determination of justifications for alimony depends on a thorough analysis of the financial situation of both spouses concerning income and expenditures.
5 . Divorce Process
The kind of process followed to undertake the divorce may also be one of the key factors affecting the cost. Some of the commonly used processes are traditional litigation, mediation, and collaborative divorce.
Types of Divorce and How Much They May Cost
There are several types of divorces in Texas. The types of divorces include the following:
1. Fault vs. No-Fault Divorce
Grounds under which fault divorces are founded are situations where one spouse blames the other for the failure of the marriage, due to reasons such as abandonment, mental disability, conviction of felony, or cruelty.
No-fault divorces are more common, wherein neither party is held responsible for the end of the marriage, and they are generally less expensive.
2. Contested Divorce
This is the case when spouses disagree on major issues, such as who is to have custody of the children or who gets certain property. These types of cases may cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on their complexity.
3. Uncontested Divorce
This is achieved when both parties concur in every part of the divorce, up to the grounds themselves. The average cost usually is between $300 to $5,000, based on whether or not you hire a lawyer or mediator.
4. Default Divorce
A default divorce will be if a spouse files for divorces and the other spouse does not respond. This is traditionally the cheapest way to divorce since the parties do not linger in court and all the negotiations.
According to Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 99, a default divorce is granted only if there’s no response from the other spouse.
How to Get a Simple Divorce in Texas
To get a no-contest divorce in Texas, you will be required to file a petition for divorce with the district court in your county or that of your spouse. Ensure there is an agreement between spouses over major issues like property division and child custody, and fill in the forms required.
After this, you can attend a final hearing where a judge will look over and approve your divorce decree in case of no contest. If both spouses are in agreement and there are no disputes, then this process is pretty easy. Check out some other helpful tips that can make divorce less expensive.
Tips to Make Divorce Less Expensive
- Try as much as possible to come to an agreement on terms with your spouse before you file the divorce. Â
- Use online divorce services for the preparation of documents.
- Instead of going to litigation, try mediation.
- Consult only relevant questions with your attorney.
- Avoid going to court unnecessarily.
- Clearly and directly communicate with your attorneyÂ
- Avoiding high-cost legal fees on things you are able to handle on your own.
Getting Legal Help
The process of dealing with everything financially for a divorce can become stressful. Understanding what drives the cost of a divorce could help you keep costs under control and limit financial stress.
If you are considering divorce, visiting with an attorney can clarify potential expenses and help you get a plan moving forward that is customized to your needs. For personalized advice and assistance, meet with a professional divorce attorney for a consultation.
