Helping You Deal With Divorce and Family Law Issues
In addition to consumer bankruptcy cases, our firm has also represented thousands of individuals in uncontested divorce (dissolution of marriage) cases. We have competitive fees for these services, and we are here to help you through a difficult time without the crushing expense often involved in divorce cases.
In this context, "uncontested" divorce means either that both spouses are in complete agreement regarding all substantive issues in the case and are willing to sign documentation to that effect, or that the non-filing spouse is not present and his or her whereabouts are unknown to the filing spouse. We can assist you in both these situations.
A divorce case is commenced by the filing of a Petition with the appropriate court, which triggers the 60-day waiting period, which must elapse before the divorce can be granted. In cases where the spouses agree, we prepare the Petition; a Waiver of Service so that the non-filing spouse does not need to be served papers by the Sheriff; a Waiver of Final Hearing so that neither spouse needs to appear in court; a Settlement Agreement which specifies all the terms upon which the parties have agreed; and a Decree which approves the Agreement and grants the divorce. In short, no one needs to be embarrassed by a visit from the Sheriff, no one needs to appear in court, and the case will become final with terms to which you and your spouse have agreed, between two and three months after filing.
If you do not know your spouse's whereabouts, you can still obtain a divorce. In addition to your Petition, you must sign an Affidavit that you do not know how to contact your spouse, and we publish notice to the spouse in a local newspaper. You are required to attend a brief final hearing after the 60-day wait period has expired, and your divorce is final when you walk out of the courtroom.
Our Divorce Fee Structure (Uncontested Divorce Only)
With no minor children:
Attorney fees $300
Court costs $157
Total $457
With children:
Attorney fees $400
Court costs $157
Total $557
1) $100 must be paid for preparation of documents, and the balance must be paid in full before the case is filed with the court and the 60 day waiting period begun.
2) If needed, the newspaper charge for publication not included in the above. It currently is $99 but is set by the newspaper. You pay this sum to our office and we transmit it to the newspaper.
3) The above fees do not include the fee for preparing a QDRO, which is a document required if one spouse is to receive an interest in or distribution from the qualified retirement benefit account of the other spouse. The fee for preparing a QDRO is normally $300. If your case requires the preparation of a QDRO, the exact fee for it will be disclosed in our written Retainer Contract, prior to your signing it or having any obligation to us.
4) Again, we only handle uncontested cases. If you and your spouse fall out of agreement while your case is pending, we do not charge additional fees to you. We will simply withdraw from your case, and assist you in obtaining another attorney if you wish us to do so.
