When you are ready for your marriage to dissolve, you may be willing to pay just about anything to get it all over with and done. However, it is helpful if you know what to expect from the start where the costs of divorce are concerned. Some people decide to file for a divorce and then find out that they can't really afford it. Here is a look at some of the questions regarding the costs of getting a divorce. 

Why do divorces that take a long time cost so much?

According to Lawyers.com, if a divorce takes more than 30 months to finalize, the average cost is $23,000. On the contrary, divorces that do not take more than six months tend to cost only about $6,500. This is a drastic difference, and it all comes down to how much time the attorney spends on your case. On average, divorce representation is going to cost you about $270 per hour the attorney spends on the case. If the attorney ends up spending a lot of time in divorce court or helping you battle it out with your ex over marital property, the costs are naturally going to be higher. 

How much are divorce filing fees?

Divorce filing fees are determined by the state where you live. Therefore, how much you pay to simply file the paperwork can vary from state to state. For example, the filing fee in the state of Kentucky is only $113. In New York, you will pay a bit more at $335 for the entirety of the court and filing fees. If you hire an attorney, they will help you get this paperwork filed, so they can let you know how much you will be expected to pay. 

How much will you pay for divorce mediation services?

If you have issues that you believe you and your partner could resolve through mediation, it really can be worth the added cost to find a mediator and go through the process. In general, mediators charge by the hour, and you can expect to pay between $100 and $300 per hour for the mediation. Even though this is in addition to what you pay your attorney, mediation can mean you will not be paying an attorney for so many hours of their time, which can bring down the costs of the divorce considerably if the mediation is actually effective.