Who pays legal fees in divorce in Australia, generally each party pays their own legal fees, with average $5K to $15K per person for simple divorce, $10K to $30K for property settlement, as family law operates on no costs order unless misconduct. In Australia, Family Court and Federal Circuit Court usually make no order as to costs, meaning each party pays own lawyer $350 to $500 per hour, with total $5K to $15K for divorce application $1K filing plus $2K to $5K lawyer, and $10K to $30K for property and parenting if contested. If one party behaves unreasonably, such as failing to disclose assets $500K or not complying with court orders, court may order them to pay other party's costs $5K to $20K. For example, if husband hides assets $100K, wife may get costs order $10K. Legal aid may cover low income under $50K income with free or $150 per hour subsidised. If you have consent orders, shared costs $2K to $4K total. So in divorce, each party pays own legal fees $5K to $15K for simple, $10K to $30K contested, with no costs order normally, but court may order one party to pay other's costs if misconduct, with legal aid available for low income.
1 votes
Marked as accepted