Cost of Divorce
At
Meriwether & Tharp, we understand divorce can be a long and costly process.
The length and cost of a divorce is largely dependent on the amount of time necessary
to resolve the various issues involved in a case. Since the traditional family
law attorney bills for his/her time spent working on the case, an expeditious
case will cost much less than a case which is long and drawn-out.
While
each party is generally expected to pay their own attorney's fees, awards of
attorney's fees can be required to be paid by one party through mutual agreement
or by a Court Order from the judge.
Cases Involving Alimony
In
a case where alimony has been requested, Georgia law allows for an award of
attorney fees to be granted to a spouse who is economically unable to pursue
the case until it fully and finally resolved. This allows attorney's fees to be
paid as a form of alimony, to ensure effective representation of both parties,
so all issues can be thoroughly and fairly resolved.
Guardian Ad Litem
Many
judges choose to defer to the insight of a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) in a case
which involves the custody of a child. While a GAL does not necessarily have to
be an attorney, many attorneys are certified to serve as a GAL to objectively
examine the facts of a case and represent the best interests of a child.
Generally,
courts will require the parents to split the cost of a GAL equally (50/50), but
some courts may consider alternative approaches to apportion the GAL fees
between parents, due to a parent's economic hardship.
Sanctions
The
Court is authorized to impose an award of attorney's fees as discipline toward
a party who has unnecessarily acted to delay, harass, or expand the litigation
by improper conduct.
Should you have questions regarding financing your divorce, contact us for a free telephone conversation with one of our experienced family law attorneys.
Written
by: Rebekah Ann James