Divorce is never an easy process. Even when two people agree that breaking up is the best option they can both handle, it’s a trying time. What’s more, divorce is also expensive. Depending on where you live and what your assets are, divorce can cost tens of thousands of dollars, which doesn’t even include things like alimony or child support. Thankfully, there are professionals who can help you navigate this process and reduce its cost. If you’re considering getting divorced, it might be worth meeting with a divorce lawyer to see if they can help you save money—and time—on legal expenses. But how much do divorce lawyers make? If you’re looking for an unbiased third party to advise you about these costs and services, read on for some answers about how much divorce lawyers make.
How Much Do Divorce Lawyers Make?
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States, who is a member of The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and who practices in a large metropolitan area, has an annual income of approximately $45,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located outside of a metropolitan area has an annual income of approximately $50,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located outside of a metropolitan area but who practices in a large metropolitan area earns approximately $40,500.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located outside of a large metropolitan area but who practices in a small metropolitan area earns approximately $35,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located outside of a small metropolitan area but who practices in a suburban area earns approximately $40,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located outside of a suburban area but who practices in a rural area earns approximately $45,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located outside of a rural area but who practices in an urban or rural area earns approximately $50,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located in a small metropolitan area and who practices in a large metropolitan area earns approximately $50,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located inside of a large metropolitan area and who practices in a small metropolitan area earns approximately $45,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located outside of a large metropolitan area but who practices in an urban or rural area earns approximately $50,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located inside of a suburban area and who practices in an urban or rural area earns approximately $45,000.
- The average divorce lawyer in the United States whose office is located within twenty miles of New York City (the most expensive place to practice) and who practices there earns approximately $40,500 per year (this amount does not include overhead expenses earns approximately $45,000.
Tips For Finding A Divorce Lawyer
1. Do a little research
Get online and do a few searches to find local divorce lawyers. You can also look at their websites to see if they offer referrals, or if they have testimonials from past clients. This can help you decide whether or not you want to hire them.
2. Contact the lawyer directly
Don’t wait for a referral before reaching out to the lawyer in question. They may be able to give you some information about their services and costs, which can help you make an informed decision about them as your divorce lawyer. It’s also important to ask them how long they’ve been practicing, what kind of experience they have, and what kind of work they specialize in.
3. Ask for references
This is a great way to make sure that you’re hiring the right person for you. Ask your lawyer for their references and ask them to provide contact information for the people who referred them. You can also ask those people directly how happy they were with the services they received from your lawyer.
4. Look at their credentials and credentials
Check to see if your lawyer has any credentials, such as a license or certification from a professional body or organization. You should also look at their website and social media presence to see if there are any complaints about them online, which could be signs of miscommunication between clients and lawyers, or bad customer service in general.
5. Ask about retainer fees
Divorce lawyers typically charge retainer fees upfront so that they know upfront how much it will cost you to hire them, but you may have other options depending on the situation you’re facing in court proceedings.
Conclusion
Divorce is never easy, which is why it’s important to hire a divorce lawyer who can help you navigate the process while saving as much money as possible. The best way to find the right lawyer is to do research on the various types of lawyers available, as well as the costs that come with each type. After all, divorce can be costly, so you want to make sure you’re working with someone who can help you save as much money as possible. However, you also don’t want to hire someone who will try to take advantage of your situation.
