While marriage is one of the sweetest events of life, it can lead to one of the saddest parts of a couple’s life. Divorce or separation is a challenging situation to go through. On top of that, the cost of divorce is as high as the complexity of getting a divorce, if not more.
So how much does a divorce cost in Winnipeg? In Canada, the average cost of divorce can range somewhere between $5,000 to $7,000 depending on the cases. This cost can multiply 10 to 20 times too.
Always seek a family lawyer in Winnipeg to estimate the expenses. There are several ways you can cut divorce expenses as well.
Why Is Divorce So Expensive?
Divorce is one of the trickiest legal matters to complete. There can be several factors that affect the cost of the divorce. If a divorce is settled before going to court, you can expect the cost to be minimum. However, in a divorce case going to court can be highly costly for the couple.
Firstly, the nature of the relationship highly determines the overall cost of the divorce. If the divorce is contested, it is much expensive. Couples are usually in a conflict. As a result, the divorce procedure takes much time, incurring several expenses along the way. On the other hand, uncontested divorce allows the couple to settle the divorce agreement outside the court. This reduces the overall cost of the separation.
Furthermore, divorce costs are generally involved with asset and property division and child custody and support. Several paper works, legal matters, and other procedures can lengthen the divorce and increase the expenses. In addition, there are several fees to consider as well. All these make divorce a costly legal matter.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Winnipeg: 3 Types of Divorces?
Usually, an uncontested divorce can be as cheap as $5,000 to $7,000. However, contested divorce expenses can even rise to a few hundred thousand dollars. Thus, 3 types of divorces can incur 3 different cost structures for a person.
The cheaper amicable divorce
An amicable divorce is also known as an uncontested divorce. The divorce application is generally filed with an agreement between the couple. The couple agrees on different aspects of a divorce through the agreement. The judge signs the paper and finalizes the divorce without any court hearings.
As you can see, the overall process is much simpler and quicker. Therefore, the expenses are low as well. You can expect the divorce to be finalized within only $7,000. This includes lawyer fees, court fees, application fees, and other costs.
The Expensive Contested Divorce
A contested divorce is where couples fight to acquire their rights. This is where couples cannot agree on the terms of the divorce. As a result, the average cost of a contested divorce can be somewhere between $15,000 to even a hundred thousand dollars.
There are several court hearings, evidence sharing, and negotiations involve in a contested divorce. Therefore, it takes much time for couples to agree and complete the separation process.
The Quick Divorce Through Joint Application
A quick divorce process is an online option that some lawyers offer their clients. Depending on the situation, the costs of a quick divorce can be between $500 to $2,000.
This is a rare scenario where the case is simple. There are no children, no asset division, no alimony, and other divorce complications involved. Therefore, it is filed jointly and completed sooner than the other options, leading the incurred costs to be very low.
4 Different Kinds of Fees You Will Incur
In a divorce proceeding, you will incur 4 types of fees inside the overall cost of the divorce. These are as follows:
Lawyers
The most apparent fees you must pay are the lawyer fees. The type of divorce you opt for will determine how much cost you incur for an attorney. Online divorce lawyers are the cheapest of them all.
Notaries
There used to be a time when a notary could have finalized divorces. This is an additional cost you may incur. However, notaries cannot handle uncontested divorces.
Bailiffs
Lawyers use bailiffs to serve documents. These are the costs a lawyer will incur for the travelling and documentations of a divorce.
Experts
You can also opt for expert service. This can cost you between $2,000 to $15,000, depending on the service you choose. Expert supports include hiring a psychologist or a financial expert to go through the divorce procedures.
How to Cut Costs in Divorce
Divorce is an expensive legal matter. Therefore, you need ways to cut costs. Here are 4 possible ways to reduce divorce expenses.
Legal Aid
In a contested divorce, the spouse earning a higher income can receive free legal counseling. The Legal Aid department of your province can guide you through the process.
Conciliation
Conciliation is the best way to cut costs. It would be best to consider creating an agreement as early as possible during the marriage to reduce the expenses. In addition, negotiations outside the court can reduce costs.
Tax Optimization
This refers to keeping a few things hidden from your spouse. For example, this involves life insurance or inheritance money. Moreover, the parent who would be paying child support can request a tax deduction.
Marriage Contracts
A marriage contract is referred to as a prenuptial agreement. This agreement states that the couple signs just before the marriage to avoid disagreements and conflict during a possible divorce. This can save a considerable cost for the couple in the time of separation.
Conclusion
How much does a divorce cost in Winnipeg? You may end up losing thousands of dollars to complete the process. Divorce itself can be extremely hectic. You gain freedom on the one hand and lose money on the other.
