Overview of the Cost of Divorce in New York

The cost of divorce in New York is so high that it should be reason enough for people not to choose one. Unlike other states, getting a divorce in NY is not a simple and straightforward affair. It is the only state, till recently, which did not allow irreconcilable difference as grounds for divorce. Instead, couples have to play the blame game in order to file for a divorce.

Why is Divorce so Expensive in NY?

Getting a divorce in New York is an expensive business because you need strong reasons to file for a divorce. And, reasons have to be on the grounds of abuse, abandonment, or adultery. Also the fact that the New York's custody laws simply promote litigation doesn't make matter any easy. For instance, fighting for licenses and degrees, which are grouped as marital assets, can prolong legal action. Or, if there are no real reasons for a divorce, couples simply have to cook them up so that they can file for divorce. Consider the case of John and Kelly's divorce settlement. Although the couple wanted to split amicably way back in 2006, the court didn't allow them to do so for lack of proper grounds. The result is that the legal roadblocks have cost them up to $100,000 in legal fees.

How much will a Divorce Cost?

If you want to file for a simple uncontested divorce, your minimum expenditure will be anywhere between $250 and $2500 plus the court fees and any additional filing costs. The minimum fees to start your divorce proceedings will be around $300. But if you are considered poor by court standards, you can, however, apply for a poor person status before filing your divorce, so that your fees can be waived.

In contested divorce, the lawyer charges you by the hour. It could be anything from $170 to $500, depending on the experience of the lawyer. They may also ask for an initial advance as a retainer deposit. If you have valuable assets that you cannot resolve with your partner, then you may need to retain a professional help to get your assets evaluated, resulting in increased costs.

It is very difficult to determine the costs of a divorce in New York. The cost of a divorce settlement can largely depend on the reaction of the spouse, whether it is going to be a nasty and prolonged litigation or not. There are even cases of celebrities who have spent as much as $1.7 billion (Anna and Rupert Murdoch) in divorce settlement. The best way to avoid the high costs of divorce is definitely by opting for uncontested divorce.

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