The Average Price for Divorce in North Carolina
The cost of divorce in North Carolina can range from $115 to well over $100,000. You can make the process easier and less expensive by knowing all of your options. Filing uncontested or meeting with a mediator can help reduce costs.
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Uncontested Divorce
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In North Carolina, uncontested divorces range from $115 to $300. To file an uncontested divorce, the couple must be residents of North Carolina for six months, and be separated for one year. The Wake County General Court of Justice states that an uncontested divorce proceeding does not "address any other domestic situation and does not address child support, custody, distribution of property or spousal support."
Court Divorce
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In North Carolina, divorces requiring court involvement range from $8,187 to $132,600. On average, divorce lawyers charge $100 to $450 per hour and accountants range from $125 to $350 per hour. Most divorce proceedings consist of five stages, from pleadings to trails, and take up to three weeks to complete. The length of the divorce procedure largely depends on the ability of the couple to negotiate custody, finances and property issues.
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Mediation
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To minimize divorce costs, the North Carolina Office of the Chief District Court Judge offers free mediation services. Mediators help couples negotiate custody and financial issues before they enter court, which reduces lawyer and accountant fees. North Carolina mediator Sam Margulies states that the average cost for a mediated divorce is less than $5,000.
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References
- Wake County Clerk of Court: Civil Division: Uncontested Divorces
- The North Carolina Court System: Divorce and Child Support
- Divorce Magazine: How Much Does a Divorce Cost?
- MSN Money: 10 Keys to a Truly Cheap Divorce
- Stephen L Beaman: NC Simple Divorce
- North Carolina State University: Uncontested Divorce Information
- Photo Credit ring image by Jens Klingebiel from Fotolia.com
