2024 How Much Does a Divorce Attorney Cost in Maryland?

Divorce takes a heavy toll on all parties involved. In addition to the mental and emotional tolls divorce proceedings can incur, there are heavy financial costs as well, both immediate and long-term. While hiring a Columbia, MD, divorce attorney incurs its own additional costs, the overall savings you can secure by hiring an attorney usually makes doing so quite cost-effective.

For this reason, it is important to consider the overall costs of hiring a divorce attorney compared with the cost of foregoing a lawyer altogether.

What Does a Divorce Attorney Do?

When you seek or respond to a petition for divorce, several steps must be completed before a divorce will be granted. A qualified attorney with ample experience litigating divorce cases will be proficient in being able to walk you through all of those necessary steps.

In the most amicable of divorces, arrangements such as property division, spousal support, and child custody, if the couple has kids, will still need to be determined and agreed upon. A knowledgeable lawyer can ensure all documentation is properly filed so that it will be accepted and approved by the court. Your attorney can also advise you or you and your spouse on preferred arrangements.

For divorces in which the couple does not agree on some, most, or all considerations, your divorce attorney can help mediate discussion or negotiate on your behalf with your spouse or spouse’s attorney. Several important decisions are made during this part of the divorce process with substantial and significant financial consequences, not to mention personal consequences as well.

The division of property, establishment of spousal support, and custody and visitation rights are each settled during this phase of the proceedings and will potentially have financial consequences that last years or even decades. For this reason, it is important that the expense of securing legal representation be weighed against the cost of doing without.

How Can I Reduce the Cost of My Divorce?

Because the financial cost alone in a divorce can be significant, as attorney costs per hour are generally around $200 to $500 per hour, it is helpful to understand ways that could potentially reduce some of the monetary strain. You can save money, for example, by:

• Avoiding trial. By pursuing alternative dispute resolutions, such as mediation, you can greatly reduce the overall cost of your divorce by avoiding trial altogether. Your attorney can negotiate on your behalf or act as a third party to mediate and facilitate discussion and collaboration between you and your spouse. While legal fees will still apply, they are substantially less than court fees and attorney litigation costs.
• Appraising property. Coming to an agreed value for each item among your shared property will save you in appraisal costs from hiring a professional. This option is only available to couples willing to come to their own agreement. For those who are able, the cost of professional fees will be greatly reduced.
• Analyzing records. Every bit you are able to collect, organize, and analyze your financial records and personal documents is billable time your attorney is not spending doing the same thing. Your attorney will find it helpful if you can compile all applicable records in your own time, as this will allow them more time to work on strategies and negotiation.

By reducing expenditures where possible, you provide yourself greater financial availability to allow your attorney to devote their time to the parts of the divorce proceedings that will have the greatest impact on your final settlement resolution.

FAQs About Divorce Attorney Cost in Maryland

What Is the Average Cost of a Divorce in Maryland?

The average cost of a divorce in Maryland is about $11,000. This comes in a little lower than the national average of about $15,000-$20,000. These estimates factor in court filing fees, attorney hourly rates, and other applicable costs. While the costs of procuring an attorney can seem high all at once, it is important to consider the long-term financial consequences of differing divorce outcomes. Divorce settlement agreements can vary by tens of thousands of dollars.

Can You Divorce Immediately in Maryland?

In many cases, Maryland does not require a waiting period to file for divorce. However, even in these cases, the divorce process can take months or even years to settle. The greatest factors in determining the length of time a given divorce will take include whether the couple can reach an amicable agreement and whether there are complicating factors, such as child custody or spousal support orders.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Maryland?

Divorce lawyers in Maryland will generally cost between $200 and $500 per hour, determined in part by the quality of the lawyer. The actual cost in your situation may vary, depending on the circumstances of your case. Fee structures and estimated total costs should be discussed from the beginning during a free consultation.

Then, the presumed complexity of your case will determine the actual rate. Complexity is largely determined by the extent of negotiations needed, child custody, and spousal support.

Who Pays for Attorney Fees in a Divorce in Maryland?

One or both spouses are responsible for paying attorney fees in a Maryland divorce. As with other divorce proceedings, there is no structured guideline to determine this. Instead, a judge may order one spouse to pay the fees of the other out of an attempt to provide justice and fairness. For example, if the financial disparity between the two spouses is significant, the lesser-earning spouse may be awarded attorney fees as part of the settlement resolution.

Your Divorce Lawyer Representation

Divorce will inevitably incur heavy costs, including mental and emotional costs. By hiring the right attorney, you can reduce the impact your divorce will have on your mental and emotional well-being, in addition to reducing the financial impact you will experience. Long-term, the right attorney can help you secure a favorable outcome in your divorce, saving you money tenfold.

Let the experienced team at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, provide you with the invaluable legal counsel you deserve. Contact our office today for a free review of your case.