Looks like Saul has remembered that it’s not a good idea to handle two divorces concurrently, especially when the lawyer charges $3,000 per court appearance.
Ngoja safari, mambo bado.
ROAD TO DAMASCUS BUDGET
1) Initial Phase — Filing & Early Procedures
Filing the divorce and service
- Circuit Court divorce filing fee: ~$165–$185
- Service of process (notify your spouse): ~$40–$80
- Clerk, certification, copies: ~$20–$50
Estimated total: $225–$315 (state fees only)
Attorney prep / document drafting
- Preparing complaint, financial disclosures, exchange of information
- Often 1–2 appearances early on (status conferences, etc.)
Attorney legal cost (approx): - Pre-appearance work (prep, document exchange): estimate 5–15 hours at $250–$450/hr = $1,250–$6,750 (approx)
- Appearances (2 × $3,000): $6,000
Subtotal early stage: $7,475–$13,065
2) Mediation / Negotiation
Maryland family courts often require mediation (especially custody or asset disputes).
- Mediator fees: $150–$350/hour
- Typical 2–4 sessions before settlement
Estimated mediation cost: $1,000–$4,000 total
Your lawyer may attend or prepare settlement documents too — perhaps 1 appearance ($3,000) in mediation-related hearings.
Mediation stage estimate: $4,000–$7,000
3) Discovery & Interim Hearings
If there are disputes over custody, support, or property values, there will be:
Discovery costs
- Time to gather records and responses
- Depositions, interrogatories
- Lawyers’ hours (could be 10–30+ hours): $2,500–$13,500 (this isn’t fixed, but gives a sense)
Interim hearings
- Temporary support/custody/motions before final trial
- Typically 2–4 appearances at $3,000 each = $6,000–$12,000
Subtotal discovery/interim phase: $8,500–$25,500+
(This is where costs vary most by complexity)
4) Trial Prep & Trial
If you do not settle before trial and must go to a full contested hearing:
Trial preparation
- Expert reports (custody evaluators, financial analysts) if needed (~$2,000–$10,000+ depending on experts)
- Lawyer prep time (20–50+ hours = $5,000–$22,500+ hourly work if tracked outside appearance fees)
Trial appearances
- Maryland trials may take several days (or half-days)
- 3–6 appearances at $3,000 each = $9,000–$18,000
Trial stage estimate: $16,000–$40,000+ depending on expert involvement and trial duration
5) Post-Trial / Final Orders
Finalizing judgments, preparing settlement documents, entry of decree plus any post-trial motions
- Likely 1–2 appearances ($3,000 each) = $3,000–$6,000
- Paralegal/office time drafting final paperwork: $500–$2,000
Post-trial stage: $3,500–$8,000
Cumulative Estimated Ranges
These are broad because divorce cases differ wildly:
- Low end (less contested): $15,000–$25,000
Settlement before trial, few hearings, simple custody/finances - Medium complexity: $25,000–$50,000
Some disputes, several interim hearings, a couple expert reports - High complexity (full trial): $50,000–$100,000+
Multiple trial days, expert witnesses, substantial assets and custody battles
