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Is It Worth Paying for it During an Orlando, Florida Area Divorce?

What is worth paying for during an Orlando Florida area divorce? In the Orlando area, you have many choices to consider when deciding whether to proceed on a dissolution of marriage and whether to hire an attorney for the dissolution of marriage. 

Initial Consultation

First, do you want to pay for a consultation or do you want a free consultation? You should check an attorney’s credentials and client reviews online to see if it is worth paying for a consultation with them. 

Then, you need to decide whether you want a consultation by phone, Zoom, or live in person. Some people may prefer the convenience of a telephone call or Zoom. Others may want to eyeball the attorney and speak to them live. 

Attorney Retainer

Next, you need to know if your attorney retainer is nonrefundable or is refundable. You also need to know if the retainer must be paid in one lump sum. You also need to find out whether the attorney has payment plans or whether you are expected to pay the full amount of your attorney’s fees every month. You need to know the attorney and staff’s hourly rate. Attorneys in Orlando will charge anywhere from $300 an hour to $500 an hour. 

Method of Divorce

You need to decide if you want to do the process by collaborative divorce or through the court system. You need to decide whether the divorce can be resolved by a marital settlement agreement, mediation, or court hearings. 

Child-Related Expenses

If you have children, you need to decide whether you need a guardian ad litem for the children. You must decide if you want a social investigation/custody evaluation. If you allege your spouse has mental illness or substance abuse, you need to decide if you want a psychological evaluation. All these evaluations can be costly. You need to decide if they are worth the value you will pay. 

Hiring a Financial Expert

You need to decide if you need a financial expert. Is this a simple divorce with minor assets or a complicated financial divorce? You need to determine whether assets need to be found or valued, or if a business needs to be valued. You need to decide if you need an appraisal on a house. An appraisal can cost between $450 to $1,400 depending on the acreage involved. 

It is important to discuss these decisions upfront with the attorney. You need to know if you can afford such legal work at the time you hire an attorney. Do you have credit cards you can use to pay for the case? Do you have relatives you can borrow from to finance the case? These are all things to find out up front at the initial consultation.   

If you have more questions regarding a Marital and Family Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney client privilege.