Everyone knows that marriage can be expensive. In 2017, Market Watch reported the average cost of a wedding exceeded $30,000. The expenses continue to pile up well after the vows are exchanged and the cake is cut.
However, many couples overlook another cost that almost half of them will also have to consider down the line: the cost of divorce. When facing the end of a marriage, you will want to know how much a Texas divorce will cost. Precise numbers can be difficult to find because not all attorneys maintain transparency in billing practices as the Ramos Law Group does.
The Financial Cost of Divorce in Texas
While the price of dissolving a marriage varies widely, the average Texas divorce costs hover around the $20,000 mark. In the most basic and amicable dissolutions where no children or property are involved, divorce cost in Texas could be as low as a few hundred dollars. While typically not advised, divorcing couples are technically able to prepare their own divorce petitions or file boilerplate forms to curtail the majority of attorney fees. Even so, the easiest separations still require filing fees and court costs, so it’s nearly impossible to leave a marriage completely free of any financial toll.
In the more common scenario, where parties hire family law attorneys to provide guidance and expertise to help navigate the process, the average range of divorce cost in Texas is between approximately $15,000 to $25,000 dollars. For childless couples or those without children under the age of 18, divorce costs tend to be toward the lower end of that
spectrum, while divorces involving children are often on the higher side.
Cost-Affecting Circumstances
Texas divorce costs deviate greatly, even from the average, depending on the circumstances. A relatively simple, attorney-assisted divorce might be resolved for $3500, while it is not unusual to see divorce costs reach the six-figure mark when matters are hotly contested, or the divorcing individuals have a high net worth.
It is common for divorcing spouses to underestimate the amount of time and work involved in unwinding the many ways their lives are intricately intertwined. In addition to attorneys being needed to manage the legalities of the process, accountants, and other financial experts are often called upon to assist in equitably dividing assets, including retirement accounts, real estate and other marital property. When children are involved, there may be a need to hire co-parenting counselors or child therapists. There are many ways to incur Texas divorce costs beyond the expected legal and court fees.
The Lesser-Considered Costs of Divorce
When examining divorce cost in Texas, many people naturally tend to tally up the variety of financial charges associated with the separation. The costs of divorce beyond the direct expenses are often overlooked. So, what is the cost of divorce in Texas, really?
Divorce is usually a monumental and life-altering event for those involved -and that includes not just the divorcing spouses, but also their children, extended family, and friends. Divorce brings emotional and social costs that can be far-reaching, and it can take a toll on the mental and physical health of those affected.
The Effects of Divorce on Family Members
When spouses decide to go their separate ways, there are no family members who are unaffected. Children living in their parents’ home are faced with considerable stress during a parental breakup. This often involves being displaced from the family home they have known or adjusting to a new life without both parents within the home. Other challenging divorce costs sometimes include adjusting to economic hardships, balancing relationships between separated parents, and potential bouts of sadness and depression.
Similarly, in-laws and other extended family members may find coping with your divorce to be a struggle of their own. Grandparents may fear losing opportunities to bond with their grandchildren following the end of their child’s marriage – particularly those on the side of the noncustodial parent, or if the divorce results in the estrangement of one parent.
Other family members may also feel hesitant or disloyal when trying to maintain a healthy relationship with former in-laws. Friends of the divorcees also often find themselves caught in the fray of choosing sides and balancing allegiances following the end of a marriage. The cost of divorce frequently extends beyond one’s bank account. Divorce cost in Texas includes a surcharge on the well-being of every party affected.
Invest in the Best Possible Outcome
Few spouses enter into a marriage with plans for their union to fail. Unfortunately, there are times when divorce cannot be avoided. In those instances, it is always helpful to have a dedicated and experienced attorney available to help guide you through the arduous process and to ensure that your welfare and interests are protected. Texas divorce costs can be high -with so much at risk, one cannot afford to be lax about legal representation.
Ramos Law Group has spent years helping families overcome divorce. Our team can assist you with managing divorce cost in Texas and making sure that the transition from your marriage is as smooth as possible. Reach out to us for professional insight on how to not just cope with divorce, but how to successfully see yourself to the other side. Contact Ramos Law Group today to schedule your consultation.
doesn’t have to be that way. Do-it-yourself divorces in Texas have the best results when all parties agree, but this is not an effective means of de-escalating the divorce process. Other methods such as collaborative divorce, mediation, and negotiation are all options if you are trying to keep the divorce from becoming highly contested. If you tell your attorney that you would rather focus on resolving conflicts as opposed to starting or escalating them, the attorney can help make your divorce a process of negotiation and agreement rather than argument.
Verification for divorce decrees is available for divorces that have been filed since 1968. The website for the Texas Vital Statistics Unit contains an index of public divorce records in Texas by year, and you can search these records on the website. These records may be purchased or downloaded for free from the website.
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