Educational information about financial exposure in contested separation scenarios
This information does NOT constitute legal advice, financial advice, or cost predictions.All figures are population-level averages for educational purposes only.
Contested divorce proceedings typically require between 40 and 300 attorney hours, excluding additional time for Guardian ad Litem (GAL), Attorney for the Child (AFC), custody evaluators, or expert witnesses.
40-80 hours
Minimal discovery, negotiated settlement, cooperative parties
100-200 hours
Substantial discovery, custody disputes, financial complexity
200-300+ hours
Trial preparation, expert witnesses, custody battles, appeals
Rural Areas
Small towns, less populated regions
~$350/hour
Suburban Areas
Mid-sized cities, suburban regions
~$500/hour
Urban / Major Metro
Large cities, high-cost-of-living areas
~$750/hour
Low-End Estimate
$14,000
40 hours × $350/hour
Mid-Range Estimate
$75,000
150 hours × $500/hour
High-End Estimate
$225,000
300 hours × $750/hour
Note: These figures exclude court costs, filing fees, expert witnesses, Guardian ad Litem fees, custody evaluations, lost income, opportunity cost, and post-decree litigation.
When one partner is the primary or sole income earner, financial exposure in contested proceedings often increases materially due to:
Educational Rule of Thumb:
Total financial exposure for sole/primary earners may be approximately 2× higher relative to dual-income households with similar conflict levels, when accounting for combined legal fees, support obligations, and property division.
This is an educational average, not a prediction or legal calculation.
Research indicates that approximately 80% of divorced parents do not have equal residential custody when children attend school in different districts. This often results in one parent being designated as "custodial" or "primary residential parent" for child support purposes, even with shared legal custody.
This information is provided for educational purposes only. For accurate cost projections specific to your situation, consult licensed family law attorneys and financial advisors in your jurisdiction.