How much does a divorce cost in Warsaw?
As we begin our life together, we hope that it will be based on trust, faithfulness and understanding. Violation of any of these rules often ends in disappointment and separation. Divorce is never easy and regardless of whether you use the help of a professional representative such as a solicitor or barrister or not, you will have to pay court fees. The decision to end a marriage is never easy, but one of the main factors at the end of an emotional and social relationship is cost. In most cases, fees for using legal services will constitute the largest cost of a divorce - but the question is whether not using professional advice will often cost much more. I know from experience that the later you seek professional help, the more you can lose. It is better to leave this one of the most important matters in life in the hands of a professional at the earliest possible stage, it really saves a lot of costs and time. If you're wondering how much does a divorce cost in Warsaw and not only that, this article is for you
That's how much really does divorce cost?
The basic court fee is PLN 600.
What is the final cost of divorce in Warsaw? The final cost of a divorce case usually includes fees for the use of legal assistance from a legal advisor or lawyer, other court costs related, for example, to the division of property and the costs of hiring external experts, such as psychological tests (e.g. in OZSS when the issue of child custody is discussed) or real estate appraiser. Typically, the degree of conflict between the parties and the time spent on the case determines the final amount of costs. Divorce cases in Poland last from 4 months to even several years. Therefore, you should include not only the costs directly related to the case, but also the number of missed days at work, travel costs, and above all - the most important cost is wasted time and nerves, after all, no one is indifferent to such an issue.
What factors influence the cost of divorce?
As with other court cases, the average cost of a divorce is difficult to determine. The costs depend on various factors - whether you or your spouse agree to certain conditions, and whether you or your spouse decide to use the services of a professional attorney - because his help often paradoxically contributes to faster completion of the case and saving costs, or reducing losses associated with unprofessional defense.
Factors that influence average cost include:
- The nature of the divorce (turbulent or conflict-free)
- Legal aid costs
- Child custody disputes
- Value of the disputed property
- Maintenance
- Mediation
- Additional matters and settlements
One of the first things to realize is that divorce is technically a legal process, but it is somewhat unique in that it brings together two people who may have some common and some opposing interests.
Divorce without a finding of fault
The more factors or issues that are not resolved by the spouses themselves, such as prior settlements, alimony, child custody, property maintenance, or other shared assets such as investments, pensions, financial support, the more likely the divorce costs will be higher. If you and your spouse agree on important issues, no matter how many, you can file for a no-fault divorce. Submitting such an application costs PLN 600, half of which will be refunded after the end of the court case. If the parties are in complete agreement as to the method of dividing the property and want to receive an appropriate judgment, they must pay an additional fee of PLN 300. When handling such a case, it is always better to seek the help of an experienced lawyer specializing in family law or property matters. Before we make the most important decisions in life, it is definitely better to spend a few hundred zlotys on supporting someone for whom such matters are their daily bread - after all, we only know our own case, or selected cases involving our closest family or friends. An experienced legal advisor or attorney has seen dozens, if not hundreds, of such cases.
Divorce with a finding of guilt
This form of divorce is much more expensive and time-consuming - although sometimes it seems that there is no other option. In such a case, filing a divorce petition costs PLN 600. If the spouses want to apply for the division of property as part of the same process, they must also take into account the cost of PLN 1,000. If we are dealing with the abolition of joint ownership, e.g. of real estate, it is necessary to obtain an expert opinion. This is another cost, which is usually around PLN 2,000. A party to a divorce case may also request the eviction of the spouse. In such a situation, the non-evicted party is obliged to pay a fee of PLN 200. Attorneys and lawyers are usually involved in controversial divorce cases. The regulation of the Minister of Justice on fees for the activities of legal advisors (consolidated text of January 2018) states that the minimum remuneration of a lawyer for a divorce case with a finding of guilt is PLN 720. These are the minimum rates set by the Ministry of Justice, but they do not reflect the real costs that we may incur when working with an attorney. However, these are the amounts that the party found solely at fault in the divorce will have to return to the other party.
Divorce costs of a lawyer or legal advisor
The real cost depends on the experience of the representative, the location and the chosen settlement method. For those who prefer the hourly settlement model, the cost in the smallest law firms located in smaller or the most competitive towns often starts from PLN 250 (and sometimes even PLN 100) for each hour of work, and ends at approximately PLN 900 for each hour in the most prestigious law firms in the largest cities. In flat-rate models, the lawyer most often provides a fee for a specific number of hours that he or she expects to devote to the case - depending on the complexity of the case and the attorney's price list, the amount usually ranges from PLN 2,500 to even PLN 50,000. Therefore, it is impossible to ultimately predict how much it will cost to conduct your case, because it depends on taking into account many additional factors. In our office, we have prepared an innovative solution, the so-called a divorce package that includes a flat fee for 20 hours of lawyer's work in the amount of PLN 6,900, which usually allows us to handle the entire case, from writing the petition to obtaining the judgment. However, this is not an obligatory model - for those who only want to take advantage of consultations or their case has a different scope - it is also possible to bill by the hour or agree on the terms of an individual package.
How much does a divorce cost in Warsaw – Summary
Anyone who has gone through a divorce knows that the process is not easy. Couples almost always make bad and very bad decisions under the influence of emotions. How much does a divorce cost in Warsaw?
In practice, as much as the parties decide to pay for it - from the minimum amount of PLN 600 in court fees to even PLN 80,000 in extreme cases. However, most cases are usually settled for PLN 5,000 to PLN 8,000.
Given the mountain of financial, practical and emotional issues and tensions that need to be sorted out, it's no wonder that so many couples make critical mistakes on the road to divorce. Putting aside strong emotions to cooperate with your soon-to-be ex-spouse certainly pays off in the long run - although it is often impossible without the support of a professional. When deciding on a divorce, it is worth considering the costs we will have to incur. The awareness of the possibility of using professional legal assistance from a legal advisor or lawyer can be compared to visiting a really dangerous city with a guide by your side - it is better to have one, because not only will it probably help you in difficult moments, but it can help you avoid many of them. Not seeking professional help usually costs much more.