Divorce in Australia comes at a cost. Many times it is unavoidable and there is a need to dissolve the marriage or de-facto relationship. So, how much exactly does it cost to divorce in Australia?Basic Divorce Order CostsTo obtain a divorce in the state of Western Australia you need to obtain a divorce order from The Family Court of Western Australia. Show
The divorce order costs $930 to file with the Family Court of Western Australia. For approved concession holders there is a reduced cost of $310. The cost of the divorce order is paid for by the person applying for the divorce. However, for joint applications, the parties may agree to share the costs. What about other costs to divorce?In Australia, it is possible to apply for a divorce order online due to our “no-fault” divorce system. The main criteria required to apply is that you can demonstrate you have been separated for 12 months or more. Whilst the basic filing costs of a divorce are quite straightforward (as outlined above), depending on your particular circumstances and the degree of complexity there can be other costs you need to consider. For example, having a lawyer file the initial application, or to have the order served to your ex, or respond to orders served to you will require legal work and you will be required to pay legal fees. Factors such as:
all add complexity to the settling of the divorce order and it is in your best interests to be represented by an experienced family lawyer. So How Much Does a Typical Divorce Cost?The cost involved in each divorce will vary based on individual circumstances. The more complex the circumstance and the more matters of disagreement between the parties, the more work is required to come to an arrangement. This may involve mediation or Family Court rulings. In the instance that the divorce is quite straightforward, the average total cost of a divorce may be between approximately $1,300 and $1,800, including the filing fee payable to the Family Court of Western Australia. For more complex cases, the cost can rise with the time required to achieve the best possible outcome. Get the Help You NeedThese figures are just a guide and shouldn’t be an indication of what it would cost you to divorce in your situation.
For a clearer picture, please contact Serina and the team at Thomson Family Lawyers who can provide you with a complimentary 15-minute consultation. At our firm in Melbourne the cost ranges from $660 to $330 for lawyers and $180 to $80 per hour for paralegals and support staff. Most law firms charge by the hour as the scope of works can be hard to know in advance. The hourly rate isn’t as important as the total cost. Our typical clients spend about $5,000 for a property or children’s issue. A divorce with no other issues costs $950 plus government fees (often $910) plus process servers fees. Going to court for a simple property matter at a case assessment cost $4,000 plus. Going to court for a contested first hearing costs minimum $5,000. A day in court in a trial is about $5,000 a day, but fortunately it rarely happens. Child support (without private school fees issues) is usually a lawyer free zone in the child support agency bureaucracy. We ask clients to pay $550 when they make an appointment as this is probably the minimum they would spend to get advice and not take much more action. Matters with voluminous financial documents cost more. Hourly rates of the relevant staff member would apply. Commonly a valuation report is necessary. Real Estate valuations may cost $1,000 per real estate property. Business valuations depend on the size of the business but maybe typically $6,000. In children’s matters a private family report costs $6,600 or $3,300 per parent. Sydney barristers and solicitors charge more than Melbourne. We are in Melbourne and Dandenong. Dandenong has Victoria’s only other full time Family Court Registry and has good value divorce solicitors and is served by the Melbourne barristers for the same costs as Melbourne. Decent “junior” barristers are in the range of $1,100 to $3,300 per day in court in Melbourne. Each issue costs more and different clients have different issues. Solicitors and their clients have some choice in how many issues they pursue and far they pursue them. When you are charged by the hour it is also the amount of hours that are charged as well as the hourly rate that matters. 10 tips for Best results at best cost
One more: Separation is possibly the worst emotional time of your life. Family lawyers are drawn to this legal of work because they care about clients and the emotions of separation. However it isn’t a good investment of time and money to use a lawyer as your sounding board for all your emotions. Family and friends or other professionals are better for that. A good family lawyer needs to know yours and even your ex-partner’s emotional state to devise tactics to deal with the other side. Fight for your rights, but don’t get trapped into expensive emotion driven side issues. What is the cheapest cost for a divorce?If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500.
What is the cost of divorce in Australia?To file for a divorce in Australia, you need to pay $940 to the court. However, you may be eligible for a reduced fee of $310. This is the minimum cost of any divorce.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Qld?Initiating Application (Parenting OR Financial, Final) $385 + Interim order application $130 = Total filing fee $515.
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Family law fees.. How long does it take to get a divorce in PA?In Pennsylvania a divorce can take anywhere from 90 days to a year (or more) depending on whether you filed uncontested vs. contested or on fault-based grounds and a variety of other factors.
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