Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Re: Divorce

How much cost uncontested divorce? The only answer which I could give without writing

a long dissertation is that if all the conditions which I consider IDEAL, my legal fee would be

$495. and the "out of pocket expense (Clerk Court)

$69.00. This assumes *have already totally agreed in writing all possible issues, *Defendant party (spouse) is local resident and cooperative, *frequent contact between Client and a non party "witness" during the past 12 months, *no minor children, *the Client is Va. resident (6 months)*Client willing to give her/his testimony in OPEN COURT. Every missing ideal condition will add substantially to the fee and o/o/p costs.

Might have missed one or more "conditions" but that's probably about it.

Re: Divorce

How much should a noncontested divorce cost?

Answer: I don't know, when you find one that's uncontested, I'll tell you.

The filing fee in VA is $69, if the gentleman has to be served with the Bill of Complaint for Divorce and the Notice to Take Depositions and the Notice for the presentment of the Final Decree and if each service costs $15 thats another $45.

Lawyers are a different issue. They can run anywhere from $100 an hour to $500 an hour. Most of them will charge for long distance phone calls, process servers, copies and court reporters. Fees can run another $100.

For a noncontested divorce the parties would have to agree on the grounds of divorce, the division of all property (including any work assets), custody, visitation and child support. Some of these issues may be handled in other courts. You may already have Separation Agreement speaking to property, custody and support. Even so, the preparation and filing of the paperwork is at least 5 attorney hours.

In my experience when there are no agreements and contested issues on all of the subjects I mentioned divorces can take anywhere between 20-40 hours to prepare and litigate.

So the answer, really is - it depends - talk to a lawyer and get some advise about the particular facts of your case.

And remember - you get what you pay for.

Good luck.

Re: Divorce

I charged $500 in Prince William County, Virginia, a few years back for an uncontested divorce (which in fact truly was) but found I could not begin to cover my time expended on the matter at that fee rate.

I now charge a fee of a minimum of $1000 for such divorces.