If you are contemplating a divorce, money is likely on your mind. You might have questions about how much of the marital estate you can keep, and you might be asking, How much does a divorce cost in Colorado? The cost of a divorce varies widely based on a case’s specific facts. However, recent reports show that the average divorce in Colorado costs approximately $11,230.
Some divorcing spouses spend more than the reported average, while others spend less. And if you have questions about what a divorce could cost you (legally and financially), talk to our experienced family law attorneys at Plog & Stein P.C. Our team of attorneys has over 70 years of combined experience, and we create sensible and effective solutions for each client.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Colorado?
The answer to how much is a divorce in Colorado has many elements. The cost of a divorce depends on:
- Filing and court fees,
- Attorney fees,
- Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested,
- Case complexity,
- How many expert witnesses you use, and
- Whether your case involves children.
In general, the range of divorce costs could be from $4,000 to more than $15,000. Below is an overview of the typical costs associated with getting divorced in Colorado.
Filing Fees and Legal Costs
The first cost you encounter when filing for divorce is the filing fee. How much does it cost to file for divorce in Colorado? As of 2024, the filing fee for a divorce petition is $230. If you are unable to afford the filing fee, you can request a fee waiver by filing a Motion to File Without Payment that includes detailed information about your financial status. The court will review your financial situation and determine whether to grant the waiver.
Unless they waive personal service (which often happens in an uncontested divorce), you generally must have your divorce petition personally served on your spouse. Personal service means personal delivery of the paperwork by a sheriff, a private process server, or an adult who is not involved in your case. Completing this step could cost you around $100 or more.
Divorces Involving Children
When it comes to the average cost of a divorce in Colorado, a divorce that includes children can cost significantly more. Reports have shown that the average Colorado divorce cost for couples without children is just north of $10,000 while the average cost for a divorce with kids is over $15,000. Making sure that the court makes an appropriate decision regarding custody and child support can require more court time and expert analysis.
Attorney Fees
Yes, attorney fees can be a significant expense in most divorce cases, but facing a dissolution without counsel could cost you a larger share of the marital estate or a larger share of your custody rights in the long run. Rates for divorce attorneys can be several hundred dollars per hour and can increase or decrease based on factors such as the attorney’s experience and the complexity of the case. An attorney may also charge a flat fee for their services or may allow you to pay for unbundled services (which can save you a lot). When it comes to divorce cases, we offer all of the payment options we just mentioned.
Unbundled services
With an unbundled services plan, you can hire one of our attorneys to handle a small portion of your divorce case without hiring us for the full experience. This could mean that we draft a divorce agreement for you or attend a mediation with you, but we don’t handle your divorce trial.
Flat fees
Instead of charging by the hour, an attorney may charge their client a flat fee (typically several thousand dollars) to handle a divorce case from start to finish. An attorney might also charge a standard flat fee for unbundled services.
Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce
In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on all major issues, which typically results in fewer expenses. The costs are lower for multiple reasons, including:
- Uncontested divorces typically don’t take as many billable hours to finalize as contested divorces;
- Because they agree on all issues, parties in uncontested divorces may not have to pay additional experts to review and make statements about divorce-related matters;
- Uncontested divorces tend to require fewer trips to the courthouse, reducing travel expenses and days missed from work; and
- A party in an uncontested divorce may have an easier time paying for unbundled attorney services (such as negotiation or drafting of a divorce agreement).
In a contested divorce, a spouse may be subjected to protracted proceedings that require multiple motions (which include fees), increase billable hours, and could involve fees for expert opinions and witnesses.
Expert Fees
In more complex cases, expert fees might be necessary. Expert fees can be a significant cost of divorce in Colorado and can include fees for the opinions of:
- Healthcare professionals,
- Education experts,
- Property appraisers,
- Occupation professionals,
- Business appraisers, and
- Financial experts.
Typically, these professionals charge hundreds of dollars per hour for their time and expertise, potentially adding thousands to the cost of a divorce.
Our Attorneys Can Help
Legal matters may be expensive, but the help of a good attorney is money well spent. At Plog & Stein P.C., our legal team is award-winning and offers effective and customized options to each client we represent. If you need help in your divorce case, you can call us or contact us online.
