As a general rule, a wife cannot force her husband to pay for their divorce. Each party in the divorce action pays for his or her attorney fees and costs. However, there are circumstances in which a judge may order a husband to pay the wifes attorney fees and costs.

Who pays for lawyer fees in a divorce?

In cases decided under the Family Law Act the general principal is that the Family Court does not make an order that one party to the proceedings will pay the other partys costs of the proceedings. Usually each party is to pay their own legal costs.

Do I have to pay if my wife files for divorce?

The petitioner always pays the divorce fees Initially, the person filing for the divorce (known as the Petitioner) will always pay the divorce filing fee. The petitioner can ask for the respondent to pay their costs in a fault-based divorce, or in a 2-year separation case if they both agree.

Can my wife and I use the same divorce lawyer?

The simple answer is no. While it may seem like a good idea, there are reasons we cannot represent both parties. The legal term is a conflict of interest. In a divorce where the parties do not agree from the beginning, each hires his or her lawyer.

What is the average retainer fee for a divorce lawyer?

What is the Average Retainer Fee For a Divorce Lawyer? The average retainer fee for a divorce lawyer is $3,500 with costs varying from $2,000 to $5,000 for the US in 2019-2020. When you are thinking about getting the services of a divorce lawyer, the cost of doing so is a question that often weighs heavily.

What is a retaining fee for a lawyer?

A retainer fee is a payment made to a professional, often a lawyer, by a client for future services. Retainer fees do not guarantee an outcome or final product. Portions of retainer fees can be refunded if services end up costing less than originally planned.