How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?

Question

How much should I expect a divorce to cost? What are the court fees, and what are your law firm’s rates for legal services related to divorce?

Answer:

Pursuant to Act No. 71/1992 Coll. on Court Fees and Fees for Extracts from the Criminal Register, as amended, the court fee for filing a petition to initiate divorce proceedings is 100 €. If the petition is filed electronically, the court fee is reduced to 50 €.

 

This amount must be paid by the petitioner either along with the divorce petition using court fee stamps or subsequently upon the court’s request. For electronic filings, the fee is payable at the reduced rate.

 

If you decide to be represented by an attorney, the legal fee is subject to individual negotiation. You can agree with the attorney on, for example, a statutory fee according to Decree No. 655/2004 Coll. on Attorneys’ Fees and Reimbursements for the Provision of Legal Services, or an hourly rate.

 

A contingency fee is not preferred in these cases.

 

As for our law firm’s rates for divorce proceedings, they are as follows (based on an hourly rate of 100 EUR + 20% VAT):

 

  • Drafting a petition for divorce – 300 EUR + VAT (without legal representation)

  • Drafting a petition for divorce and regulation of parental rights and responsibilities concerning minor children – 400 EUR  + VAT (without legal representation)

  • Participation in a hearing within Bratislava including preparation – approx. 2 hours (200 EUR + VAT per hearing)

  • Written response or other written submission to the court – based on complexity at an hourly rate of 100 EUR + VAT

  • Participation in a hearing outside Bratislava – subject to individual agreement

In most divorce cases, the court does not award reimbursement of legal costs from the other party.

 

If you are interested in a customized quote, please contact us at office@akmv.sk.