Frequently Asked Questions:
Family Law

Can I get a divorce if I don't know where my spouse is?
You can still get a divorce even if you do not know where your spouse is currently living. Legal notice must be done by publication in the newspaper. This is know as Aservice by publication. An attorney can assist you with this process.

How long will the divorce process take?
Divorce cases can take anywhere from a few weeks to over one year, depending on the facts and circumstances, the level of acrimony between the parties, and the number of issues involved. If both parties are in agreement, and you have already been living separate and apart for the requisite time period, the entire divorce process could be done as quickly as within one month, although it usually takes a little longer. This is an Auncontested divorce.@ If there are issues, such as child custody, support, or division of marital property, that need to be decided by a judge, the divorce could take a year or longer to work through the litigation process. This is a contested divorce.

How much will it cost?
The cost of a divorce will vary widely depending on the facts and circumstances of the case, and what is involved. Every case is different. If it is determined that your case is an uncontested, no-fault divorce, we offer flat fee plans ranging from $1,200.00 to approximately $1,500 to complete the entire process. This fee does not include any costs which may be incurred, such as the cost of filing the divorce, and the cost of service by sheriff or private process server. However, these fees are low, and usually total less than $150.00. If there are contested issues that need to be decided by the court, you will usually need to make an initial retainer deposit of between $5,000.00 and $10,000.00, and the case will be billed by the hour. We send monthly invoice statements showing the work that has been done on your case, and the amount that has been billed against your account. If the case settles quickly, or does not expend your entire deposit, you will be refunded any amount remaining in your account. If the initial deposit is insufficient to cover the work, you may be asked to supplement your retainer balance. Contested divorces often end up costing more than the initial deposit. Depending on the number of contested issues, a contested divorce can be very expensive. However, we always strive to balance keeping your cost down while still providing you with excellent legal representation. The cost of litigation is one factor every client needs to consider when deciding how much certain things are worth fighting over in court. In some cases, attorneys fees can be recovered from the other spouse, but this is discretionary with the court depending upon the facts and circumstances of each particular case.

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