The cost of a divorce in Louisville or Nashville depends mostly on one thing: whether you and your spouse agree. An uncontested divorce, where spouses agree on property, support, and parenting, costs far less than a contested one that needs mediation, hearings, or a trial. The largest cost is usually attorney fees. At Wise & Associates, attorney fees are staged flat fees, never hourly: upfront fees range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the case type and how much litigation is required, and any added stage is priced before it begins.
What are the costs of a divorce?
What makes a divorce cost more?
Disagreement. Every contested issue, such as custody, the house, retirement accounts, or spousal support, adds negotiation, and possibly hearings.
Children. Parenting schedules and child support add issues to resolve. In Kentucky, parents address custody and timesharing. In Tennessee, they need a permanent parenting plan.
Complex property. A business, rental property, or pension may need an appraisal or valuation, and a retirement account usually needs a separate court order to divide.
Trial. A case that goes to trial costs the most, because of the preparation involved.
How the lawyer bills. Under hourly billing, the total is unknown until the case ends. Under staged flat fees, you know each price before the work begins. Compare hourly billing and flat fees.
How much does an uncontested divorce cost?
An uncontested divorce is the least expensive path, because it involves an agreement, the required filings, and a final decree, without contested hearings. In Kentucky, the court cannot finalize a divorce until the spouses have lived apart for at least 60 days. In Tennessee, an agreed divorce has a waiting period of 60 days without minor children and 90 days with minor children. Kentucky divorce · Tennessee divorce
How much does a contested divorce cost?
A contested divorce costs more because of the additional work: exchanging financial information, mediation, hearings, and possibly trial. With hourly billing, each of those steps adds hours. With staged flat fees at Wise & Associates, each added stage is priced before it begins, so the cost stays predictable even when a case becomes contested.
How can you keep divorce costs down?
- Agree where you can. Every issue you settle is one less issue to litigate.
- Get organized. Gather tax returns, pay stubs, account statements, and debt balances early.
- Consider mediation. It usually costs far less than a trial. Compare mediation and litigation.
- Know your price upfront. Ask any lawyer how they bill, and what costs extra, before you hire them.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wise & Associates charge by the hour?
No. Wise & Associates bills staged flat fees, fee for service, never hourly. Clients are not charged by the minute for calls or questions about their case.
How much is the upfront fee?
Upfront fees range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the case type and how much litigation is required. An attorney will tell you your fee during a free phone consultation.
What if my case goes to trial?
Mediation, court appearances, and trial are separate stages, and each is priced before any work on it begins.
Are consultations free?
Yes. Consultations are free and by phone at both the Louisville and Nashville offices. See full pricing details.
Get your price
Book a free phone consultation, then call the office at your scheduled time. An attorney will explain your options and quote your upfront fee.
- Louisville, Kentucky: Wise & Associates, (502) 618-0000. Serving Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer, and Henry counties.
- Nashville, Tennessee: Wise Law, (615) 208-9190. Serving Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, and Sumner counties.