Legal Question in Family Law in Connecticut

Average cost of simple divorce, no kids???

Married 2 years, no kids. Built home 1 year ago, in husbands name only, but all expenses are shared equally. Neither of us entered marriage with significant property..most was purchased together, so division of property should be relatively easy. I have always made significantly less (40K) than he and have no savings. Thinking about legal separation first, but I cannot afford and am afraid to leave house (abandonment???) and he will not go. What concerns should I have? Where do I start? What should I be prepared to face financially? Since home is not in my name,I think I make too much for assistance??


Asked on 10/14/03, 2:24 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys

Linda Subbloie Linda A. Subbloie, Esq.

Re: Average cost of simple divorce, no kids???

The first thing you should do is seek out an attorney for a consultation. Most very good attorneys do not charge you for a consultation.

Secondly, I never quote a cost for a divorce without sitting down with the potential client and going over the facts and the appropriate plan in detail. It is very difficult to determine early on how the situation may unfold. Divorce is a difficult time for anyone, and surprises can occur. The best thing you can do is hope for an amicable resolution, but be prepared for difficulties.

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Answered on 10/15/03, 2:19 pm
John Heffernan Heffernan Legal Group, LLP

Re: Average cost of simple divorce, no kids???

Two yr marriage w/ no kids = no alimony. Property acquired after marriage = 50/50, regardless of incme level. Name on title irrelevant. Abandonment not an issue. Court won't put out either party unless there's some violence. Legal sep same as divorce (as far as cost, process, time to completion, etc); only diff is neither can remarry after legal sep (either party can transform a sep into a full divorce simply by filing a paper in court, even against the wishes of the other). Cost = $1500 + costs of about $300. Takes about 4 months. Call me at 860-233-6336. John Heffernan

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Answered on 10/14/03, 2:55 pm
Bonnie Lee MacDonald Law Office of Bonnie Lee MacDonald

Re: Average cost of simple divorce, no kids???

You are unlikely to get alimony after a two-year marriage and no children. After a two-year marriage, a court might grant alimony if your husband was very, very wealthy and you were dependent on him. Even in that case, the alimony would be short term until you could get on your feet. The house will likely be split 50/50 unless one party came into the marriage with substantial savings and those savings were used to purchase the home. The court would take that initial investment into consideration during the division of assets. The appreciation value will be split evenly. The cost of a legal separation is on a par with a divorce. The only real differences are that (1) if you are legally separated you cannot remarry and (2) the parties can file for reconciliation and cancel the legal separation. Either party can file to turn the separation into a final divorce. If your divorce is uncontested, the fees should stay around $1500. If there are contested property issues, that amount will increase. You may call at 203-966-8855.

I am in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Bonnie Lee MacDonald

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Answered on 10/14/03, 7:08 pm
Nina Trester Law Offices of Nina Trester

Re: Average cost of simple divorce, no kids???

You need to discuss the facts of your situation with an attorney. I offer free consultations. There are many things that must be discussed before I will indicate what my fees are in any particular case. What I will say is that my fees are reasonable in comparison to most attorneys. Call me for a confidential consultation.

Nina Trester 866-411-5291

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Answered on 10/16/03, 12:39 am


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