The High Cost of “Free” Divorce

Divorce Law
self representation

 

People facing the possibility of taking care of their own legal matters because they don’t wish to pay an attorney often underestimate the high cost of “free”. For instance:

“I will do my own divorce.”

Costs:

Forgetting to include life insurance to guarantee spousal and child support and ex dies after 5 years:  $300,000.

Not knowing you have a right to half the house even though the deed is only in her name:  $150,000.

Not considering the possibility that you might need to do a joint bankruptcy before divorcing to discharge debt: $125,000

Post-judgment motions because your marital settlement agreement was written in a way where both of you don’t agree as to what the terms mean :   $5000 each time, 5 times over 8 years:   $40,000.

Not knowing you are entitled to a portion of his pension that accrued during the marriage:   $200,000.

Cost of an uncontested divorce:  Usually under $5000. (Contested divorces can go higher, depending on what the other side does and what is at stake).

“I can’t afford a lawyer for this traffic ticket.”
Cost of insurance rising:  $300 per year, for the next three years:  $900.

Cost of average traffic ticket appearance:  $250-325.

“I don’t want to pay a lawyer to write a will or do my living will or power of attorney:  I will download a template off the internet.”

Cost of estate administration because the template doesn’t cover New Jersey law:  $5000-10,000 for a lawyer to get an improperly done will admitted to probate.

Cost of a will contest between feuding relatives who both want to be named executor when the will fails to name an alternate and the original named executor is diseased:  $5,000-15,000.

Cost of a guardianship because you decided you didn’t need to name anyone to take care of your health care choices if incapacitated:  $5000-10,000

Cost of custody dispute because you named no guardian for your minor children and both you and their mother/father has passed:  $10,000-30,000

Cost of complete estate plan package with simple will, living will and power of attorney:  $550-750.

 

Still think free is cheaper?

Call for a  truly free consult that might lead to huge savings.  856-227-7888, or email [email protected]. We have locations in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties, and are happy to discuss your legal options.

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