What Expenses Should I Expect in Our Michigan Divorce?

 Posted on July 21, 2022 in Divorce

One of the greatest factors that prevents people in unhappy marriages from leaving is the fear that they will not be able to afford a divorce. After all, the average cost of a divorce in 2020 was nearly $13,000 and nationwide inflation has increased the cost of goods and services substantially since then. 

However, there are ways to save money during divorce and knowing how the cost of divorce breaks down can help you know what to expect and look for places where you might be able to save money. Once you have read our list of the most common expenses in divorce, contact our Michigan divorce attorneys to get further answers to your questions. 

Your Lawyer

Unless you have a fairly straightforward divorce or you are the adventurous type who loves reading about complex new subjects, you will have an attorney to help you during your divorce. While divorce attorneys often get a bad rap, a good attorney can actually make your divorce go faster and cost less money by being responsive, accurate, and proactive. The time and complexity of divorces vary wildly and attorneys’ fees likewise vary, but you can talk to several attorneys to get ballpark estimates of how much you can expect to spend on legal representation. 

Filing Fees

Every county has filing fees for divorce and court appearances. If cost is a major concern, you may see if you qualify for a fee waiver program. In Oakland County, Michigan, filing for divorce with minor children currently costs $225. 

Mediation Fees 

If you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement about important issues like child custody, asset division, or spousal support, a judge may order you to pay for mediation services to help you achieve a resolution. 

Household Expenses

Depending on what you and your spouse agree to, or whether a judge orders you to pay them, you may be on the hook for the expenses associated with supporting your household. This includes the mortgage, utility payments, etc. Do not assume that moving out means you can stop paying your half of the mortgage. 

Interim Spousal and Child Support 

Judges can order interim spousal and child support to be paid while the divorce is ongoing. Interim payments are not necessarily reflective of what support payments will be in the final order, but they can add significant expense to the ongoing divorce process. 

Call an Experienced Novi Divorce Attorney 

Having questions is a normal part of the divorce process and it is important to know what to be able to expect. To schedule a free case review and learn about how we would approach your divorce, call the Oakland County divorce attorneys with Elkouri Heath, PLC at 248-344-9700. We have a wide variety of experience in family law and look forward to assisting you. 

Source: 

https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/average-cost-of-divorce/

​​https://www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/court-records/Pages/fees-and-forms.aspx