Legal Advice: The Cost of Divorce

The divorce procedure is usually extremely straightforward, and, in most cases, the costs are limited. The cost of a divorce application can include:

• Our legal fees for preparing the application – in some cases, we can offer fixed fees.
• The Court’s filing fee is approximately $930 (reduced fees are approximately $310 for those who qualify). Check the current fees on the Family Court of Australia site.
• Service fees – documents can be served through this service. You may need to use a “process server” to personally serve the application on your former spouse. A ‘process server’ can help if you can’t find someone or if they are actively trying to avoid being served.
• Your lawyer’s costs to attend the Divorce Hearing – you can choose to attend the Divorce Hearing with or without a family lawyer.

If your divorce is complex or needs more resources, there may be extra costs. These costs can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the amount of work required by your legal team.

Get a free consultation with a Cairns family lawyer to determine your options and the likely costs involved.

What other factors impact the costs of a divorce?

Some family lawyer costs are not associated with the initial application for divorce. However, you may encounter other fees for the following instances:

• Mediation is a less expensive way to resolve issues between former spouses. If both parties can attend, it can be a viable solution to make property settlement and custody arrangements.
• Property settlements can get complicated and cause tension. The more intricate the division of assets, the more likely it is that the legal costs will be higher.
• Child custody arrangements can impact especially if it must be resolved in a courtroom. It is usually more cost-efficient to try to agree on a parenting plan without involving a judge.
• Child support matters such as negotiating agreements and enforcing or modifying child support arrangements may also require legal advice.

It is important to understand your entitlements and obligations so you can protect yourself, your children, and your finances. Talk to our family law team in Cairns for a free no obligation quote.

Who pays for the divorce?

Both parties are generally responsible for their own legal costs in family law proceedings. However, a Court may determine that one party pay more. If this happens, the awarded costs are for the legal fees you’ve incurred rather than your own time and effort.

If you’re going through a divorce and worried about the potential legal fees, we understand the added stress this can bring. Our divorce lawyers provide a fixed fee structure for your peace of mind. Our fixed fee service allows you to know the costs in advance, easing some financial worries.

To learn more about our fixed fee divorce services, please don’t hesitate to request a quote from us today.