When it comes time to begin your divorce there is one area you do not want to cut corners on concerning your professional help. There are tons of do-it-yourself divorce kits out there, and for a few dollars you can get a bunch of forms and necessary instructions. What those tools do not give you is a personal guide to making sure that your divorce costs are kept fair in terms of arguing for alimony, child support and custody, and property division.
Aside from your Washington state divorce attorney, there may be several other unexpected financial costs during your divorce of which you should be aware. While not all of these expenses will apply to all cases, your divorce attorney should be able to give you a basic understanding of his or her fees, as well as any of these potential costs, during your initial consultation.
The Cost of Hiring Professionals to Protect Your Assets
Your unique divorce case is made up of more than just your spouse and children. You also have to consider your assets as entities in their right, and individual assets require certified professionals for proper asset division to take place. For example, you may need to hire an appraiser from the Appraisers Association of America to evaluate an art collection so you can properly split it during the property division negotiations. This company is based in New York and when you call them, they will give you list of certified appraisers in your area.
Business owners and solo practitioners will need a business valuation expert to determine the value of their company and how to best go about dividing it or arranging a buyout. Forensic financial investigators may also be necessary for asset division and joint accounts.
Your divorce attorney may suggest bringing in these types of professionals to assist in correctly completing your divorce proceedings, but be aware that you have the final say on the hiring. By agreeing to work with these experts, you will agree to pay for their services, which divorce attorneys do not include in their fees.
Court Costs and Post-Divorce Expenses
Once your divorce petition is prepared, you will need to pay Washington state filing fees and court costs. While the fees are the same for all divorces, court costs will vary depending on how complex your case is and how long you require before the family law judges.
There are many potential post-divorce expenses that you may need to budget for such as fees for making changes to joint accounts and contracts.
- You may need to separate or obtain your insurance policies, which could result in increased or new premiums.
- Many retirement plans incur penalties when liquidated or altered.
- You may incur new taxes due to alimony.
- If you changed the structure of a business, you might need to pay fees to draft new business plans or governing documents.
- Marital home-related expenses such as changing the names on utility accounts, moving costs.
Having Reliable Divorce Help Is Always Worth the Cost
When you hire a reliable Washington state divorce law firm, you can rest assured knowing your future is in capable hands. It's well worth the cost to have a reputable, dedicated attorney on your side through the entire process, and The Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny is available whenever you are ready to get started with your consultation. Call us at 425-460-0550 or fill out our online contact form and schedule time with us to discuss your options.
