Angela is posting questions arriving anonymously from readers along with her answers. Please share your advice with these women, too! :)

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What are normal fees for attorneys in a divorce? What about ones provided by the government? Are they free or do you get a reduced rate?

My first attorney was $3,000. Charged more than $300 per hour, if I remember correctly. That covered lots of changes to the papers, emotional support by-the-hour (him telling me my ex was an idiot and assuring me no judge would ever give custody to an alcoholic), going to court with me to get the protective order, but no in-court battles. My ex conceded on our final agreement and didn't come to the final ruling. The divorce was finalized in a judge's office.

My second attorney was $6,000. Hourly fees are considerably lower in Bangor, Maine than they were in Texas and my attorney here put a lot of time into this. We took my ex back to court to sue for supervised visitation only and back child support. This involved multiple paper filings, changes to papers, trying to track down my ex, correspondence with police in his town, talking to my old attorney in Texas, and also court appearances and mediation.

Angela Hoy
http://www.angelahoy.com/book

You can type up your own papers. You don't need a costly lawyer. I did it with no cost to me and got everything I wanted. You need to be willing to work and not be greedy. Greed is the thing that will cost the most. Look at what is good for you and the kids if any. Don't be greedy. If you are wanting a divorce, then you want out. There are lots of information in the Library on how you can file for divorce on your own without a lawyer. Only thing lawyers are good for are if you want to be Greedy!!!

If children or assets are involved, do NOT type up your own papers and negotiate your own settlement. To read horror stories on other women who tried this (myself included), download the free version of The Emergency Divorce Handbook for Women. There is a series of chapters from women who tried this and ended up losing a lot more than the money it would have cost them for an attorney, including custody.
[url]http://www.angelahoy.com/book/free.html[/url]

Angela Hoy

I've divorced twice. First time - $300.00. Second $500.00 + $300 to return to court 1 year later. He had not taken the house out of my name and quite making payments. He also quit paying on a car in both names and had it repossessed. Hope to get the $300.00 back when we return to court in January. It took six months to find the second lawyer, and a second six months to get a court date. My first divorce was drawn up, through court, and finilized in four months. It just depends on the backlog of the justice system in your area.

YOU SHOULD NEVER TYPE YOUR OWN PAPERS IF THERE ARE ANY DEBTS OR ASSETS!!! Divorce is a financial transaction! State Laws require equal distribution of debts an assets... there can be no greed involved. I was willing to leave with NOTHING! When I got to court, the judge told me to take my own "handmade papers" and talk to an attorney. The judge told me that if he decided my case right then and there, he would grant the divorce and I would loose over $350,000. The judge told me he does not have the jurisdiction to watch one spouse walk away with nothing and one get everything. Greed has nothing to do with it... being fair and equitable does. So, to make a long story short, I am enjoying my life... not struggling and driving a damned nice BMW Mini... I don't call it greed, I call it getting what the law requires you to have!

DITTO!!!

The cost is usually related to the complication involved. If the divorce is uncontested, there are no children, no significant assest, and no significant debts then it can be done very cheaply--less than $500 in some places. Add in debts and you definitely NEED a lawyer and he/she will cost more. Add in children and you want the best lawyer you can get, don't even WORRY about the cost! For a contested divorce where children are present, plan on spending a lot of time in court and a lot of money on your lawyer.

I am really considering filing my own divorce. We have NO assets together, we have one child, and a child support order is in place. I've tried the "agreement" route. After demanding his visitation schedule and putting me through 3 redrafts of the agreement, he decided that he didn't want to sign it after all. He's moved out of the state and I haven't heard from him again. We've been separated for more than a year and I'm leaning towards abandonment. I had to get a loan to pay the lawyer for the drafting of the agreement and she wants a $2500 retainerto proceed with a contested divorve.. I just can't afford it. Any advice?

My divorce ran about $1500. Thats a $400 retainer, and $120 an hour. I have a child and debt. No assets. My ex paid half for the lawyer, it was in the agreement. When I pay off my share of the debt, I will be free of his terrible spending habits is the way I look at it. I recommend a lawyer when you have a child, debt, or assets. Very definately. Shop around, I did. Divorce is a financial agreement, I agree with that. It's also very much a game.

Oh about seventeen thousand dollars 2 1/2 years a couple quarts of blood and a few body organs thrown in for good measure.