In California it takes six months from the date the other side is served with divorce papers before the divorce can become final, it is not automatic. Certain documents need to be filed with the court to get the final judgment. If there are no arguments and everything is agreed, expect to pay between 2500 to 3K to a lawyer. If you have agreements you will pay quite a bit less to a paralegal.
A divorce can take up to two years. It really depends on the facts and issues. An attorney charges a retainer based on the case. It can be anywhere from 1000 or so to thousands. Consult with several attorneys to discuss your options.
If you mediate it can take six months and cost around $3000 plus roughly $500 for filing fee. If you litigate it can take a couple of years and cost thousands. Retainer would cost around $3000.
This is impossible to answer without knowing more about your situation. Best case scenario, a divorce can be completed within about 90 days (assuming the parties agree on the resolution of every issue). The cost depends on whether you hire an attorney or whether you represent yourself. The court will charge filing fees for the paperwork that are separate from any legal fees you might pay. In Maricopa County, the filing fee for the Petitioner is $321 and the filing fee for the Respondent is $256. I recommend you consult with an attorney to discuss this matter in greater detail.
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