Today, Caralee Fontenele will be diving into the most significant question we get as family lawyers, how much will it cost to separate? 

Well, to answer the question, it does depend on the type of separation you have. If it is relatively amicable, and the parties want to move quickly - of course, it will cost less. The best way for it to cost less in legal fees is for your to reach an agreement for parenting and/or property quickly and finalise it by way of Consent Orders or a Binding Financial Agreement, which should be drafted by a family law solicitor. 

If the matter is complicated and becomes a very protracted process, it will cost you more and take a lot longer. The rule of thumb is that the longer it takes to resolve your separation, the more it will cost you emotionally and financially. 

The best way to keep your legal costs to a minimum when separating is to agree on how you will divide and separate your property and co-parent your children amicably. However, this is not possible for many divorcing couples.  If you reach an agreement, you only need a lawyer's involvement to draft consent orders to finalise your agreement. The costs of this are minimal in comparison to negotiations or litigation.

If you can’t reach an agreement with your ex-spouse, you may need a family lawyer to assist you in negotiations. Depending on your property pool, family, and any complicating factors such as mental health issues or complex issues, legal fees can range from $10,000 to over $100,000. 

The majority of people can resolve their matters quickly, especially when they engage a skilled family lawyer. If it is the case that your matter can resolve quickly, the legal fees will be much less than if it is prolonged. 

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