Many people think of only two options when they consider divorce: with an attorney or without an attorney (by yourself, pro per). Today, more and more people cannot afford to pay large advanced fees for an attorney. Yet, many people still need legal help short of retaining an attorney, from beginning to end. Family law rules and procedures can be complicated, so there are a myriad of costly mistakes that can be made, some of which you may not even realize for one or two years after your divorce.
Worst of all, how can you possibly know just what you do not know? Maricopa County has some valuable tools to use on their website, but you still may not understand the whole process or procedure. Best Law Firm offers alternatives to help people because we understand the need. Court staff and judges do a great job, but they are often overwhelmed and are not allowed to give you legal advice. So, you need to read this book, become familiar with the process and recognize what additional help you may require. There are many options available to you, depending on your circumstances and finances. Here are some options, from least to most expensive:
Clearly, the most expensive option is the last, which is to retain an attorney to handle everything for you. Your attorney will charge you an advance fee anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 or more. Sometimes it seems as if retained counsel are trained to prepare for court and fight every step of the way, rather than sorting things out without going to trial. That is usually not a good idea for you, because it can increase the pain and the cost. The average cost of a divorce can be $18,000 for each side. So, unless you have money to burn, you might consider other options.
Below are two charts that outline the divorce process. The first exemplifies the typical process when both parties have an attorney. The second demonstrates the stages of litigation when the parties work together for their divorce.