Do you need a lawyer to get divorced? If not, how much will it cost?

Question

I have a friend who is in the process of getting a divorce. He and his wife are not fighting over money, property, custody, etc. They just want to get divorced. He is worried that he does not have the $$ to afford a lawyer or the divorce. Do you need a lawyer to get divorced? What steps should he take to begin the divorce process? Is it costly?

Answer 1

You don't need a lawyer.  It depends on what state you're in as to what the process is, but you can generally get the legal forms from your local courthouse for an uncontested divorce and just pay the court costs - typically $200-500.

Answer 2

You don't need a lawyer if you are both agreeing to all terms and conditions of the divorce. Costs vary by state in California it was 300 dollars when I got divorced

Answer 3

Check the local newspaper in the classified section. There you should find divorces for little or nothing

Answer 4

No you don't have to have a lawyer and in some instances you can file yourself.  Go to the library and read about it or call a lawyer office and just ask them if you can in your state.  All that will be free of charge.

Answer 5

as long as its simple, u can file your own papers

Answer 6

No, you don't but it's a horrible idea to get a 'divorce kit' if there are children or any property involved.  My husband and I are divorcing now and we are using 1 lawyer.  Technically, the lawyer is there to only advise me but since my husband and I are not fighting over anything all he has to do is swing by the office to sign the forms.  The initial filing has cost me $470 to this point, which includes 2 office visits and the court fees.  Then we have to file permanent orders in a couple weeks after the 6 wk cooling period is up.  But this is by far, the best route that I could take.  He's going to split the cost w/ me, so that helps.

Answer 7

NO, you don't need a lawyer. You can go right to your courthouse and get the forms  and file it with them. There is cost, but I'm sure the cost changes from one county to the next.

You can also get a self divorce book and forms from a book store or even in wal-mart.

Answer 8

You don't need a lawyer IF you both agree to all the terms and the division of property.  Lawyers get involved when the two parties FIGHT over everything and, by the way, the attorneys are the only ones who make money!

If you can agree, draw up the papers yourself (s/b available on line) and file with the local courthouse.  In AK, it was $150 filing fee.  Then you wait for a court date to go before a judge.  IF the judge approves your filing, in other words, if the judge believes you have fairly divided community property, then the judge will approve the dissolution as filed.

When kids are involved, it can be more complicated.

Answer 9

No you can go to the court facilitator and they will help you for free.  The only cost should be the filing fee which is about $320.00

Answer 10

No, you don't need a lawyer, you can go to mediation so solve all the issues between the partners who want to separate and then write up an agreement which can be certified by the court. That way you save a lot of money and anguish. Look for mediation or alternate conflict resolution  in the yellow pages.

Answer 11

Here is a do-it-yourself divorce website www.divorcelawinfo.com

The internet is full of sites and information on this topic.  yahoo it.