FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a divorce cost?

How long does a divorce last?

My spouse is keeping our children from me. Or My spouse is letting our children do
“ anything ” they want. Or My spouse is dumping or leaving our children either alone or with anyone but me. Or Can I change custody?

What is involved in a divorce case with two children?

Does it make a difference who files?

Depending on all of the factors, a divorce is less expensive if the parties do the following:
work together;
compile list lists of all of their assets and all of their debts;
if they have children work on a comprehensive visitation plan; and compile, in copies (3 each), all documents such as pay stubs, bank accounts, retirement accounts, or any documents showing all assets and debts.
When a party does work on his / her case, they not only take control of their divorce matter, they also work towards the goal of finalizing the matter in a quicker and less costly manner.


That question depends upon a thousand factors such as:
the facts of the case;
the parties involved;
if there are children;
if there are alot of debts;
if there are alot of assets;
the issues or problems that need to be taken care of; and the personalities of the parties involved
— if they are calm they can end their marriage without fighting or prolonging the action;
— if they are argumentative they will prolong and drag the action out forever, costing way too much money.

Here at the Law Office of Colleen White, we take all of the factors and try to complete a divorce as fast and as inexpensive as possible. The less time you spend dealing with the divorce the less money you spend.


Each custody matter is as individual as fingerprints. The length of time and cost depends upon the entire situation, each client, their spouse, all of the issues involved and the attitudes of all involved. A custody matter can last longer and cost more than any other family law matter. While it is no easier to obtain custody for a father or a mother, it is difficult.


A divorce with children is complicated and yet if managed correctly can be a life transition rather then a harrowing experience. There are many factors in a divorce to consider, such as: the facts of the case, the parties involved; the debts; the assets; and the issues or problems that need to be taken care of. In a case with children, there are more factors such as: the age of the children, babysitter need or parent’s schedules, schooling, religion, discipline, extra expenses, sports, vacations, time away from the children, transportation, timesharing of the children, and the required parenting classes.

Combining all of the above factors with two people who desire to get divorced can be either difficult or easy, depending on the parties involved. All of those same factors also play into how much a divorce costs. But again, it is up to the parties. Many times, as a divorce attorney, I meet a parent with children and they tell me that everything has been worked out and the just need a simple divorce. Then, three to four months later, they are still married, are fighting and have incurred more attorneys’ fees then they thought they would. This is usually because children are involved. The parties cannot decide upon the correct babysitter, the correct schooling, or religion, or discipline, or extra expenses, or sports, or who takes them on vacations, or what the children do with their time away from the parent without the children, or the transportation, and finally the timesharing of the children between the parties. A less involved and less costly divorce with children can occur if the parties keep the best interest of their children in mind, are calm, and if they can end their marriage without fighting or prolonging the action, and finally if both parties can give on the issues or factors stated above with regards to their children.

As in all confrontations or stressful situations in life, if each party in a divorce with children would give more then take, the transition for the parties and the children is easier then harder. Although it is harder to go through a divorce with children, the parties should concentrate upon the best interest or what is right for their children rather then what is right for them. As I have been doing this for twenty three years, that is easier said than done.


Some think that it makes no difference who the filing party would be, as some Clients say that they do not want to be the one to symbolically break the marriage. However, filing first does give the party who filed first the advantage of making an opening statement, presenting their case first and making the first closing argument. Yes is does make a difference who files first.