Hello! How much should it cost to file Complaint for Divorce, Pendente Lite Motion, preparing of the CIS, a CMC? I spent $40K+ so far for the above...

Thank you for your question. The questions posed regarding how much should it cost is difficult if not impossible to answer. There are so many factors that go into the work to be done on an individual case. The bottom line is it depends how much attorneys time (an attorney's staff time) is put into the matter. Of course the complexity of the matter generally drives up the cost because it involves more attorneys time as you go through the various stages of divorce. Another aspect that I come across often is people do not realize how much time it takes to accomplish something like properly doing a case information statement, or properly wording a certification and presenting a pendente lite application. If done properly especially if you have a mountain of information that has to be reviewed and analyzed and presented properly. Generally what I suggest a client to do is review the itemized billing that was presented to see what time was put into the matter justifying the fee. I hope this responses gives you a better understanding how attorney's fees can grow through the divorce process.