According to a recent AVVO divorce study, couples are most concerned about the costs of divorce. People today have more choice in how they will proceed with their divorce..from doing it themselves , mediation, collaborative practice, lawyer negotiations to court. The survey indicated that a majority of people (58%) site the cost of divorce as a major factor/concern in moving forward with the divorce. When reviewing what approach may work best for a family, making the right choice in terms of professional fit , control, timing are all things that need to be considered. However, the reality of the total expense for the family appears to be a big part of the decision.
It’s important to establish from the beginning some sort of “divorce budget”and understanding the value proposition of any process you ultimately choose. Being quoted the hourly rate or first retainer is not enough information. Getting the answer .. “it depends” to the question “How much will this cost” may not be good enough anymore. Understanding that other professionals are part of a divorce team and learning what they all do in the process, what they charge, what their involvement may be , and what couples can do on their own, helps in understanding what the ultimate costs may be .
