How much money will a divorce cost me? I have heard that they also charge per kid is that true??
443178
Ok...it all totally depends.\n\nIf you don't want to dispute anything, its fairly simple.  Technically you can go to court and file yourselves, but it can be complicated, especially with children involved.\n\nIf either of you is TOTALLY broke, you can apply with your state legal aid program and get a pro bono atty.  If you agree on everything, this one atty. can draw up all the paper work and the unrepresented party can waive right to counsel.  For example, if you are your ex agree on how the custody will be shared, the atty can draw up the papers, calculate child support based on the state laws, and the other parent can just agree to what the atty. files with the court.\n\nWith children involved it is HIGHLY advisable to get attorneys.  Atleast one. Most judges strongly frown upon parents who don't get legal representation when children are involved.\n\nIf there is any disagreement over any aspect of the divorce, you will both need attorneys.  Attorneys charge by the hour, not by the child.  The more complex the case, the more hours you will have to pay for.  So the more you can work out beforehand, the better.  \n\nIn my state $200 is about average.  The amount of the retainer (the $$ you have to pay them up front to take your case) depends on the complexity of the case.  Expect a minimum of $1000.  Plus you will have to reimburse for any filing fees, experts involved, etc.\n\nIf you and your ex agree on everything, you can probably get out for between $1000 and $2000.  If you don't, it can go into the tens of thousands...\n\nGood luck.
707054
completecase.com and yes we agreed on everything and for 300.00 they go through a series of questions and give you ALL the paper work you need to file. The state you file in will have different laws about physically appearing in court. Our state required it. We were married 22 yrs so we really didn't want to hurt each other just go our separate ways and it's worked out fine. My ex did have an attorney appear for her and he checked out the paper work and saw nothing wrong and was quite surprised the Internet could do such a comprehensive job
208095
Hmmm...I'm 34 w/ 4 kids and paying soooooooooo much, and I'm the mom. Long story but no I'm not a derelict I just was sick of family court. A lawyer is good advice but also unrealistic when it comes down to it. Get on the internet (whatever state you're in) and download all your paperwork. They're making it so much easier than it used to be. Get your support reduced and pay and they'll give you your license.
57975
You don't. The system was created to take care of the child caught in the middle of divorce, the only true "victim" of the system. The process and calculations used in determining child support are much like sausages... you probably don't want to know how they're made. \n\nSadly, the honest guys seem to get nailed the hardest by a system created under the assumption that nobody is honest or forthcoming in their obligations to their children. Why? Because the honest guys are the few that are making their obligated payments, while so many others try to skip out on them.\n\nI speak from experience here in California. I paid nearly $700 a month for child support for 14 years, never missing a payment and also providing full medical and dental coverage under my health plan. But, I received a great reward for that effort... a daughter who knows that her father never denied his obligation, even when he knew she wasn't necessarily benefitting directly from that money. My daughter knows I didn't let her down then, and won't now.\n\nI say this not to pat myself on the back, but to hopefully remind a few out there that what they do now has a lifetime effect on the ones they do it for; their kids.
75940
Go to your county's Child Support Agency. It's in the phonebook. Call or walk-in. If the children are in your care for more than 1/2 the time, he will be required to pay child support. As far as him seeing them, you may have to go to mediation which cost me $100. I didn't request it, he did. Actually, he requested it 2 times. Do your best as far as that goes. You do have to cooperate with visitation but only if he's looking for the best interest of the child. Which is what the mediator does. However, the mediator will believe what he/she wants from both sides. Be polite. My ex started to get rude and it effected the outcome. I just stayed quiet during his little fit. I hope this helps. Good luck! Don't let him bully you out of this either. You're fighting for your children's rights.
513102
Go to the court house and file a order of petition. When i did mines it was free. But I heard they was s'pose to charge me $15.00. I was getting $13.99 a week!!! for child support and I went and took his azz back to court so I can get an increase. And it worked!!...
1144538
Oh my dear lord.  You are in for a rude awakening.  Divorce is almost never cheap and it is almost never fast.  It is a horrific experience to go through and I'm sorry that you're going through it.\n\nThat having been said, the best way to do things is if you and your soon to be ex-spouse work together.  If there are no major conflicts and no major disputes over property or children, then you can get an attorney or paralegal to draft the necessary settlement documents.  \n\nGo to www.martindale.com for a listing of divorce attorneys in your area.\n\nGood luck.  You're going to need it.
241889
What is the reason you want the divorce? Of course if its something that was morally wrong that cause for a divorce but if not maybe you guys can work it out.  But the part about not having $ for it is..... you'll have to search for Legal Services-a Pro Ce Clinic. They'll show you how to feel out everything and once you go to the courts depending on your income they may or may waive the fee.  I went through this almost six months ago and hey it'll be final in a month. Nothing was spent out of pocket.
1059462
I'm confused.  Why are they giving you 100 a month for there cell phone charges?  Is the contract in your name?  If thats the case cancel the phone after the contract is up and tell them to get there own contract.  Also I would tell the women who takes care of there kid that if she's not being paid not to do it.  If everyone stops tippytoeing around them maybe they will learn some responsability.  Stupid to get married at 17 to begin with.  She's acting like a child because she is one.  She needs to grow up.
432023
Do you have a house or kids?  If no to both, go to the courthouse and get the paperwork.  You can also find legal assistant's in the phone book, that for a much cheaper fee, would do the paper work and file it for you, based on the info you give them.  If you have one or the other of the above, I would get a lawyer, no matter the cost, so both will come out with whats fair.
107787
I think you should ask percentage wise and the wife's situation, b/c otherwise, you're going to get a lot of different amounts here. My exhusband pays me $147 a week for two children but one of my friends gets $200 a week for one child. It all depends on both parents income, costs of things, and where they live.
466358
There is nothing fair in a custody battle for anyone, regardless of who gets what ultimately someone loses out, most times its the children.  I would have to agree with you on the attorney issue though, it takes money to get a good attorney, and it can go to ungodly amounts of costs.  Every phone conversation is subtracted as well as everthing else.  I feel for my husband, because his ex is now dating an attorney who seems to have nothing better to do then take him to court.  Of course its no out of pocket expense to her so she finds anything to bring him back into court for. I guess all I can say to you is Good Luck, Do alot of praying.
117260
Shop around for a good atty.  I know one who only charged $75 for an uncontested divorce. (not including the filing fees).\n\nYou might also try your local lawschool/library.  My lawschool's library had a wide range of forms for pro se (do it yourself) patrons.
118931
Send her a certified letter about your intentions of picking up the kids. Actually show up at the designated time and have a witness.  Bring your written visitation decree along with you and notify the local sheriff's office of your intention to enforce the divorce decree.  Keep a written book of all of your attempts to visit your kids. If you find her new phone number, record all future calls.  Gather your child support receipts in a shoe box if you don't pay through the Court.  File contempt of court charges.  If you can't afford a lawyer, be willing to represent yourself in court.I spent $40,000 to get visitation for my husband.  I was the new wife and I kept good records and tape recordings and if I had to do it again, I would have represented him myself.  After 2 years he won visitation and it was very complicated...Don't stop paying child support and read the Book of Psalms in the Bible....
130087
every place I've ever seen charges about $1100. But there are lawyers that if you have a job, will take payments from your job, it is set up like a wage garnishment (child support is done this way). Usually like $100 a payday.
599243
It all depends on how cooperative your husband will be, if you're going for spousal support, and if children are involved (and going for child support).  So many variables to consider.  If you really think divorce is the only answer, I think the first step is to start making appointments with family law attorneys that offer free consultation.  You can sit down with 4 or 5 of them do hear different opinions and estimates on how much it would cost.  If you don't want to go though an attorney, try looking for paralegals to help you with paperwork.  You can also go to your local courthouse and ask about the procedures for filling out divorce papers and all associated fees.
660957
You may be out of luck, but in some states you can get a filing fee reduction or waiver if you fill out the right paperwork. Some states require a certain time period of waiting along with running advertisements in the local and last known address newspapers when the other party is absent. If he knows where she is and the divorce is uncontested and no children are involved, he can look in the classifieds or thrifty nickel papers, I've seen "divorce experts" advertise in there for like $300 plus filing fees.