How Much Does Divorce Cost?
The cost of divorce in the US varies across states (largely but not exclusively by cost of living in the area). Statistically speaking, the average across the United States is $15,000. In Colorado, the cost is a little bit lower, averaging about $11,500. The range is pretty large based on the number of disputes, the ferocity of the parties … and the litigiousness of the lawyers.
Does it HAVE to cost that much?
You've probably heard horror stories like these:
- Your colleague at work who is in a horrible family situation can't afford the $10,000 retainer necessary for any decent attorney in the area to open her file
- Your neighbors just had a nasty divorce where the legal bills are already over $200,000, with no end in sight
- Your cousin says he is almost going bankrupt because she has no idea month-to-month how much the legal fees are going to be
- Last year your hair stylist bragged about how she just paid $500 for her divorce, but now she's having to pay tens of thousands of dollars to get things fixed that weren't done right
- Your friend decided to go with the attorney with the low hourly rate…. Who then spent many, many more hours on her case than necessary, which not only ran up her bill but also meant that everything took longer than it should have, and made things more difficult between her and her ex … and the kids.
Divorce is hard enough without this added layer of complication – financial ruin.
Is there really not a better way?
Of course there is a better way. We thought of one.
At New Leaf Family we recognized that the “traditional” way of doing things has put these huge and unnecessary obstacles in the way of people who have decided to end their marriages. Instead of guiding their clients to their new lives, too many lawyers focus on the conflict and the battle. In a way, it makes sense: more battle equals more hours equals more fees. Right?
Wrong.
We didn't like the “billable hour” as the foundation of how legal services are provided. incentivizes lawyers to drag things out, complicate things, and make things more adversarial than necessary. It takes the focus off the solution, and onto the problem. Not many of our clients want to stay in the problem. So, instead, we decided to build our offerings, from the ground, up, differently.
First and foremost, we ditched the billable hour in almost everything we do. Really, how many people want to buy an hour of your time? Especially if you can get them to a solution in half an hour? Or ten minutes?
Then, we got rid of the unpredictable nature of many legal engagements. Instead,
Our clients pay a case opening fee (which is much less than most law firms' “initial retainer” amounts). Thereafter, there is an affordable, set monthly rate. That's it. The monthly rate depends on which level of service you choose. If your case gets wrapped up soon, so does your monthly rate. If, despite our collective best efforts, the process becomes prolonged, the monthly amount stays the same. Throughout all of this, not only will our attorneys remain actively involved in keeping up with the necessary paperwork and court filings, but you will also have access to our other resources designed to empower you to address the many other aspects of separating and ending a marriage that go beyond the legal formalities.
In fact, many of our clients decide to stay in the “New Leaf Family” even after their divorce is final. We are all about helping our clients to make choices about their lives … based on what they decide is best for themselves and their families. That doesn't end when the papers are signed. Whether it's a new home, a new car, a new mortgage, or new hair, we support our clients with the resources they need. Sometimes, when their new lives feel overwhelming, we are also there with coaches, parenting coordinators, counselors and other resources. All, also, for a low, flat fee.
Whether our clients are just considering whether to make a change in their lives, are ready to move forward, or are settling into their new lives, with New Family, they're family.