Best Divorce Lawyers & Helpful Resources
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Most Popular Cities
= Featured Provider
New York, NY
Aronov Law
315 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017Expertise.com Concierge Service
New York, NYBarrows Levy PLLC
100 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd, Suite 210, Garden City, NY 11530
Los Angeles, CA
Life Family Law Group
555 West 5th Street, 35th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013Charles M. Green
3699 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90010Joanne Ratinoff
12100 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Chicago, IL
Law Office of Jennifer Guimond-Quigley
20 N Clark St Ste 1110, Chicago, IL 60602Expertise.com Concierge Service
Chicago, ILAnderson Boback & Marshall
20 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60602
Brooklyn, NY
Robert Aronov & Associates, PC
1172 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230Expertise.com Concierge Service
Brooklyn, NYBrooklyn Family & Divorce Lawyer Mary Katherine Brown
147 Prince Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Queens, NY
Aronov Law
Queens, NYExpertise.com Concierge Service
Queens, NYThe Law Offices of Dehai Zhang
136-20 38th Avenue, Ste 9G, Queens, NY 11354
Houston, TX
Skillern Law PLLC
701 N. Post Oak, Suite 600, Houston, TX 77024The Law Office of Bryan Fagan
Houston, TX 77068Ramos Law Group, PLLC
1214 Miramar Street, Houston, TX 77006
Phoenix, AZ
Cantor Law Group
40 N Central Ave #2310, Phoenix, AZ 85004Colburn Hintze Maletta PLLC
2150 E Highland Ave, Suite 212, Phoenix, AZ 85016Rich J. Peters & Associates, PC
1422 North 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Philadelphia, PA
Petrelli Previtera LLC
1707 Langhorne Newtown RD STE 5, Langhorne, PA 19047Rabinovich Sokolov Law Group
1700 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103Divorce Done Differently
840 1st Avenue, Suite 400, King of Prussia, PA 19406
San Antonio, TX
Attorney Randy Mora
6502 Bandera Rd, Ste. 106, San Antonio, TX 78238The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC
310 S. St. Mary's Street, Suite 2100, San Antonio, TX 78205The Law Office of Orlando Kell
2218 North Interstate 35, San Antonio, TX 78208
Dallas, TX
Hargrave Family Law
4201 Spring Valley Rd STE 1210, Dallas, TX 75244Expertise.com Concierge Service
Dallas, TXLaw Office of Chris Schmiedeke, PC.
10440 N. Central Expy. Suite 120, Dallas, TX 75231
Top Divorce Lawyers in other locations
- Divorce Lawyers in Memphis, TN
- Divorce Lawyers in Baltimore, MD
- Divorce Lawyers in El Paso, TX
- Divorce Lawyers in Boston, MA
- Divorce Lawyers in Milwaukee, WI
- Divorce Lawyers in Denver, CO
- Divorce Lawyers in Seattle, WA
- Divorce Lawyers in Nashville, TN
- Divorce Lawyers in Washington DC
- Divorce Lawyers in Las Vegas, NV
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Resources
Discover essential information for those considering divorce or needing a divorce attorney in the U.S., where 40-50% of married couples file for divorce.
I Think I Need a Lawyer
Not all divorces require a lawyer, but if you think you might need a lawyer, we've put together these resources to help you decide.
Divorce Laws by State
Divorce laws vary from state to state. From how to file for divorce to separation requirements, we've compiled divorce laws by state to help you decide when and how to file for divorce.
Divorce Statistics and Other Useful Information
As Western societies have seen an increase in women’s financial independence alongside evolving cultural norms, divorce has gone from taboo to acceptable, with almost 45% of marriages ending in divorce in the U.S. Whether you're interested in more information about divorce in the United States or wondering how to go about leaving an abusive partner, our experts have compiled these resources to help.
- Divorce and Child Custody: Everything You Need to Know
- Divorce, Separation, and Custody: How Domestic Violence Affects Your Case
- Everything You Need to Know About Disability and Divorce
- Everything You Need to Know About Divorce Mediation
- How Does Collaborative Divorce Work?
- How Is a Legal Separation Different Than a Divorce?
- How Many Marriages End in Divorce?
- What Happens to 401Ks in a Divorce?
- What Is Considered Grounds for Divorce?
FAQs
What are the basic steps to filing for divorce?
The steps required to file for divorce depend heavily on whether the divorce is contested, if there are minor children or property issues at stake, and if there are disagreements over child support or alimony. The process may also differ from state to state, but generally parties must:
- File the divorce petition
- Hire a process server to give the other party divorce papers/respond to the original petitioner's filing
- Request temporary orders covering issues such as custody/visitation, support, and exclusive property use
- Make financial disclosures
- Request discovery from your spouse
- Propose and/or consider a possible settlement
- Go to trial if necessary
- Receive a signed judgment from the court indicating the divorce is final
- Address post-divorce tasks such as transferring property titles and closing joint bank accounts
How much does it cost to get a divorce?
The cost of a divorce differs dramatically based on a litany of criteria, such as whether the divorce is contested, where the divorce petition is filed, and whether the divorce requires a professional intermediary or other legal expert. A simple, low-frills DIY divorce can be as little as a few hundred dollars. Add in mediation and the cost may jump to the mid-four figures and can easily reach $7,000 or more. Hire a lawyer and you may pay anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000+ if there are major custodial issue or complex financial concerns.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost?
Most divorce lawyers charge by the hour and billing can vary dramatically. Some attorneys in more affordable markets and/or with less experience may charge as little as $75/hour. More experienced attorney or those who have large staffs, specialize in complex cases, or hold relevant certifications may charge premium rates in excess of $400/hour. Then there are the amount of hours invested; simple cases may be over in a matter of weeks while hotly contested divorces can drag on for years leading to lawyer's fees in the tens of thousands.
How to choose a divorce lawyer/what to look for?
Divorce lawyers are not one-size-fits-all. It's important to find a lawyer whose skill set, experience, and resources align with the demands of each specific situation. For instance, some attorneys will push mediation while others are naturals in the courtroom.
- Know your budget
- Limit your search to lawyers experienced in family law
- Zero in on lawyers or firms that can handle the complexities of divorce, especially any issues that may be specific to the current case
- Read reviews and ask friends for recommendations, but remember that their situations and needs may not be the same
- Conduct interviews to see who feels trustworthy and can spell out an approach that feels appropriate
- Try to ignore ad campaigns and office décor and instead consider track record and skills
What is an uncontested divorce?
An uncontested divorce is one in which both parties agree on the major issues, such as custody of any minor children, child support, alimony, and how to divide any assets and/or debt. While uncontested divorces still require a judge to approve the terms of the divorcing couple's signed agreement, these relatively simple splits tend to move faster, cost less money, and are easier to execute without the help of a divorce lawyer. A divorce filing that goes unanswered by the non-petitioning party may also be considered uncontested.
Can you file for divorce without a lawyer?
It's possible to file for divorce without a lawyer, especially if the divorce is uncontested. Many states offer free divorce forms either online or at legal self-help centers located in or near family court. There are often dispute resolution resources available as well; mediation services can help iron out disputes over custody or financial support without involving lawyers. Still, a free consultation with a divorce lawyer can offer valuable insight, and contentious divorces, whether they go to trial or not, all but require legal representation.
How long does it take to get a divorce?
The length of a divorce is contingent on four things: each state's mandatory waiting period, whether the divorce is uncontested or contested, how quickly both sides can come to an agreement, and how quickly a judge is able to hear or review the case and sign off. The best-case scenario is an uncontested divorce in a state with a short waiting period which could see a divorce finalized in a matter of weeks. For divorces with highly combative parties, long discovery periods, and other complications, a decision could take months or even years.
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