How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Maryland?

{Updated from original post on October 5, 2016} One of the questions that we get asked most frequently by new and prospective family law clients is ” how much does a divorce cost? ” It’s certainly an understandable question. People who are facing separation and divorce are typically frightened, overwhelmed and looking for quantifiable information to help them tackle the tough decisions that lie ahead. However, while the question may be straightforward, the answer is typically not, as there are many questions that can affect the cost of a divorce in Maryland.

The 52 Million Dollar Question: How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

If you type the phrase ” how much does a divorce cost ” into Google, you will receive nearly 52 million results. As reasonable as it may be to worry about, and seek information regarding, what the cost of your divorce is going to be, it’s important to understand that this is an impossible question to answer with any level of certainty.

Anyone who receives a finite answer to this question from a lawyer should be wary of the divorce attorney who gives it. Essentially, quoting the cost of a divorce up-front would require the lawyer to predict what will happen in the future. It’s just not possible.

For this reason, very few lawyers handle family law cases on a “flat fee basis.” The majority of divorce attorneys charge a retainer based upon an estimated scope of work, and will bill against that retainer at their hourly rate.

Factors that Impact the Cost of a Divorce

Every divorce case takes on a life of its own. Ultimately, the cost of divorce is, to a large extent, based upon the time that your lawyer invests into your case. The amount of time that your lawyer spends is directly related to many things that are beyond his or her control, including:

How organized you are in providing your lawyer with information and responding to your lawyer’s requests
How litigious or aggressive your spouse’s attorney is
How much discovery is conducted in the case, if it’s litigated aggressively
How amenable both you and your spouse are to resolving your differences as quickly and inexpensively as possible, such as by utilizing mediation.

How to Financially Plan for a Divorce:

To help you better prepare financially for the road ahead, check out these additional resources:

How to calculate child support in Maryland: https://www.cooverlaw.com/calculating-child-support-maryland/
How alimony is calculated in Maryland: https://www.cooverlaw.com/alimony-in-maryland/
Maryland Child Support Guidelines (direct link to calculator): http://www.dhr.state.md.us/CSOCGuide/App/disclaimer.do
What happens to the family home during a divorce in Maryland? https://www.cooverlaw.com/divorce-in-maryland-family-home/
3 hidden expenses that can drive up the cost of your divorce: https://www.cooverlaw.com/cost-of-divorce-in-howard-county-maryland/
The true cost of a custody battle: https://www.cooverlaw.com/custody-battle-cost/
The impact of adultery on alimony in Maryland: https://www.cooverlaw.com/adultery-in-maryland-alimony/
Who gets to claim the kids on taxes after a divorce? https://www.cooverlaw.com/filing-taxes-after-divorce/
Are Social Security benefits divided in Maryland divorce cases? https://www.cooverlaw.com/social-security-benefits-divorce/
Do health insurance premium increases affect child support? https://www.cooverlaw.com/health-insurance-child-support/
What’s considered marital vs. non-marital property in Maryland: https://www.cooverlaw.com/marital-vs-non-marital-property-maryland/

Call Us Today

At Coover Law Firm, LLC, we understand the immense emotional and financial burden that divorce puts on families. While it’s impossible to predict the future, by having a conversation and getting to know you and your unique situation better, we can better advise you about what to expect. Contact us today at (410) 995-1100 to schedule an initial consultation with Fred L. Coover, Esq. in our Columbia, MD office.

Disclaimer: The information in this blog post is provided for general educational & informational purposes only. It is not intended to convey legal advice or serve as a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter.