How Much Does A Divorce Cost?

Deciding to get a divorce is one of the most difficult decisions one may have to make in their lifetime. Coming to terms with the fact that a relationship you thought would last forever isn’t working is hard, and making the decision to stop fighting is even worse. Once you’ve made all those tough decisions, you then have to pay a ton of money to legalize everything. So how much does a divorce in Louisiana typically cost? Before you decide to split up with your partner, get an idea of how much money you’ll have to spend.

Louisiana Residency

Photo by Caio Resende.

In order to file for divorce in Louisiana, there are a few residency requirements. In most divorce cases, you or your spouse must have been a resident of the state of Louisiana for at least one year.

There are also a few time restrictions concerning divorces. The waiting period for a divorce is generally six months before the court will grant your divorce. But, if you have children under the age of 18, you must wait one whole year before your divorce will be granted.

Filing For Divorce

Filing for a divorce sets the proceedings in motion. The civil courts in each parish handle divorce proceedings. Because of this, the fees for filing for divorce vary depending on which parish you are a resident of. Your filing fees could range anywhere between $200 to $350.

Other Legal Costs

There are a number of other legal costs that you may be responsible for during the course and completion of your divorce that could range in price greatly. Below are a few examples of fees you may have to pay for:

• lawyers fees
• motions or other legal requests
• fees for serving your spouse with divorce papers

Divorce lawyers typically charge an hourly rate that can vary between $150 to $300 an hour, possibly more. Divorces can be expensive depending on your needs. A simple divorce should only cost a couple hundred dollars, but a complicated one can range in the thousands.