Why Some Fees for Divorce Filings are Higher Than Others

As if divorce is not painful enough, where you live actually has an impact on divorce filing expenses.

Many wonder why divorce filings should have fees that vary across states when accessing divorce records usually costs the same everywhere in the United States.

One reason is that state vital records units have similar administrative rules and, therefore, charge similar fees. Another reason is that states use filing fee surcharges to fund pet projects, and these amounts can sometimes be substantial. While filing for divorce in Ohio, for instance, a surcharge of as much as $32 must be paid.

Where Surcharges on Divorce Filings Go

In Utah, the surcharge is only $2 for divorce (as well as other civil cases), proceeds of which are donated by the state to the Children’s Legal Defense Account and other projects that concern visitation and custody of children after a divorce. In New Hampshire, couples filing for divorce pay $101 and an additional $2 if they have children.

New Jersey, on the other hand, legislated in 2002 the use of $25 from its $50 divorce filing fee for its programs for abused women. In 2003, the state legislature hiked the fee to $250 and put $200 of that into the state budget so that rebates on property taxes could stay the same, even as the $25 for abused women remained.

Saving on Filing Fees and Paperwork

Another way filing fees can pile up is when you do routine paperwork through your lawyer. Some of these are no-brainer clerical tasks. And you will be billed for lawyer hours that go into doing these routine tasks.

Therefore, ask your lawyer what work you can easily do yourself. This can save you hundreds of dollars — or more if your divorce takes long enough. Some of the tasks you can do yourself include:
 
  • accomplishing filing forms
  • dropping off documents at the courthouse
  • making photocopies
  • making a contact list of people you may need to call on
  • routine online research
  • mailing notices and documents
     

Finally, when you talk to your lawyer on the phone, take notes. This will save you from billable time when you have to call him again just to get the same information.

If you are on the other end of the spectrum and don’t need to file but do need to research divorce records, then feel free to visit RecordsSiteReviews' online divorce filings section to start locating what you need.
 
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