There is no denying the fact that divorce has now turned into one of the most common cases in local courts in Nigeria today. The primitive discernment that a divorced man or woman is held in contempt by society is no longer distinctive in recent times.
While the whole legal process involved in a divorce can be largely wearisome and takes a while, the more perplexing part is how much one spends during the process. The truth is, the legal fees for divorce can be principally expensive. Typically, the lawyers involved work based on the budget you have set out to spend. This post takes a look at an estimated cost of divorce in Nigeria.
Cost of Getting a Divorce in Nigeria
It is a tad difficult to estimate the exact cost of divorce in Nigeria as it extensively vary from one case to the other. Generally, the overall amount spent on the divorce process depends on the circumstances surrounding the case. Nonetheless, knowing what to anticipate and how divorce processes run can help involved parties cut down on some of the expenses. It also helps you pointedly strategize where the bigger expenditures tend to rise.
As it stands, based on general reports from various legal sources across the country, the overall cost of filing divorce case can cost anything from N300,000, depending on the court, lawyers’ charges and occasionally, the reason for the divorce.
Although the overall divorce process takes between one and three years, it could drag on in court for many more years, and in certain cases, less. Apart from the exclusive legal costs, couples with conflicting variances are often discouraged from the court processes due to personal reasons, family influence or even joint agreement.
Generally, lawyers charge lower for divorce cases that are usually not complicated. Cases like this usually don’t drag for too long in court. Also, you wouldn’t expect to spend so much on divorce cases for customary marriages. This is because, like the first instance, there are usually no complications involved in such instances. The location the court is situated also affects how much you might spend on the case. For instance, settling divorce cases in Abuja or Lagos are bound to be more expensive than going through the same process in some other parts of the country.
PRICES LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 3, 2023.
What You Should Know About Divorce process
One of the first questions most divorcees ask is who pays the lawyers’ fees? In many cases, each of the parties involved pays their individual fees. In some other cases, one of the parties can demand that the partner pay some part of the fees, especially if it was the partner that initiated the divorce process in the first place. This, and issues that are more similar may be decided on in the divorce settlement, and it may also hang on the actual cause for the divorce.
As stated earlier, there are many actors that determine the total cost of divorce. One of the most important though, is the likelihood of disagreement in the proceedings. Meanwhile, a divorce supplicant where issues like custody of a child and defrayal of properties are in discussed is usually expected to consult a skilled lawyer or an established law firm due to the delicacy of the issues. With this though, you can expect to spend more here.
Generally, divorce processes are way cheaper and less demanding in cases where both parties involved decide and agree on majority of the terms in the divorce process settlement. In cases like this, involvement of lawyers are usually minimal, therefore decreasing how much to be spent on the process. If probable, pondering on the terms of the divorce could be a fair idea for both parties. If both parties are able to deliberate and agree on the core parts of the divorce process, the overall process will be less stressful and easier.
Despite the amplified rate of divorce in Nigeria today, the plausibly expensive financial effect has not necessarily halted the process, with lots of partners still looking to separate by verbal agreement, which is largely cheaper and less stressful.
Grounds for Divorce
According to the constitution, there are grounds for divorce provided in the Matrimonial Causes Act. The main ground for divorce in Nigeria is a situation where marriage has broken down permanently.
Here are some of the core facts about divorce according to section 15(2) of the Matrimonial Causes Act:
- When the respondent (the party being sued) wilfully and persistently refuses to consummate the marriage.
- When the respondent commits adultery and the petitioner (the party filing for divorce) cannot tolerate it.
- When the respondent behaves in a way that the petitioner can no longer cohabit with the respondent.
- In a situation where the respondent deserts the petitioner for a continuous period of at least one year preceding the presentation of the petition.
- Where the parties to the marriage have lived apart for a continuous period of at least two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition and the respondent does not object to a decree being granted.
- Where the parties to the marriage have lived apart for a continuous period of at least three years immediately preceding the presentation of the parties.
- Where the other party to the marriage has, for a period of not less than one year failed to comply with a decree or restitution of conjugal rights made under this Act.
- Where the other party to the marriage has been absent from the petitioner for such time and in such circumstances as to provide reasonable grounds for presuming that he or she is dead.
Related Stuff
- Best Forex Brokers in Nigeria & Minimum Deposits (2023)
- Chevy Cruze Wiper Blade Size Chart (September 2023)
- Voice Recorder Prices in Nigeria (2023)
- Car Scanner Prices in Nigeria (2023)
- Best Football Academies in Nigeria & Registration Costs (2023)
- Cheap Private Universities in Nigeria That Offer Law (2023)
- Student Wardrobe Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Best Cooking Pot Brands in Nigeria & Prices (September 2023)
- Hard Rock Café Lagos Menu Prices (September 2023)
- Prices of Fohow Products in Nigeria (2023)
- Spectranet Data Plans And Codes (September 2023)
- OET Exam Fees in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Pedicure Machine Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Alliance in Motion Global Price List (September 2023)
- Internal Hard Drives & Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Mega Chicken Price List (September 2023)
- How Much Does Waist Trainer Cost in Nigeria in 2023?
- Hand Sanitizer Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Lagos State Rent-to-Own Price List (September 2023)
- Cupcake Price List in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Unlimited Data Plans in Nigeria, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Lagos State Rent to Own Price List (September 2023)
- Swift Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Marine Paint Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Caucasian Dog Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Petrol Prices in Nigeria Today (September 2023)
- Airtel 4G Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Diva Cakes Price List (September 2023)
- Nokia C20 Price in Nigeria (September 2023)
- MTN Monthly Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Bag Making Materials in Nigeria & Prices (September 2023)
- SAT Exam Fees in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Smile Unlimited Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Airtel Unlimited Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- All Etisalat Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Spas in Abuja and Price List (September 2023)
- Electrical Materials Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Nike Air Force 1 Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- MTN Unlimited Data Plans, Prices, and Codes (September 2023)
- All Airtel Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Ntel Unlimited Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Michelin Tyres Price List in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Habib Yoghurt Price List (September 2023)
- MTN Pulse Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Hardwood Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Glo Unlimited Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Cost of Drip Irrigation System in Nigeria Per Acre
- Top Safety Courses in Nigeria & Prices (September 2023)
- External Hard Drive Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Tyre Prices in Nigeria (2023)
- ACCA Exam Fees in Nigeria (September 2023)
- All MTN Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Ice Cream Machine Price in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Best Web Hosting in Nigeria & Prices (September 2023)
- Smile Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Cost of Oracle Certification in Nigeria (2023)
- Cost of Yellow Card in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Radio Jingles Cost in Nigeria (2023)
- MTN Cheapest Data Plans, Prices, and Codes (September 2023)
- Fireproof Safe Prices in Nigeria (2023)
- Cost of Police Clearance in Nigeria (September 2023)
- How to Request First Bank Nigeria Account Statement (2023)
- Business Schools in Nigeria & Their Fees (September 2023)
- Hearing Aid Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- NEBOSH Exam Fees in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Salon Equipment Price List in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Crocs Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Cost of Living in Nigeria – Lagos & Abuja (2023)
- PSP Vita Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Kedi Products Price List in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Cost of Registering a Company in Nigeria
- Cost of Trademark Registration in Nigeria (2023)
- Crunchies Price List (September 2023)
- Sound Prince Speakers Price in Nigeria (2023)
- GetFit Waist Trainer Price in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Prices of Shoprite Nigeria Products (September 2023)
- Glo MiFi Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- All Glo Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Road Marking Paint Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Block Moulding Machine Price in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Cost of GRE Exam in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Total Engine Oil Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Plastic Chairs & Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Airtel Weekly Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- NTel Cheap Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Farm City Lekki Price List (September 2023)
- Cost of 100 Units of Electricity in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Cost of Starting a Tailoring Business in Nigeria (2023)
- Castor Oil Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Swift Unlimited Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Dodge Charger Wiper Blade Size Chart (September 2023)
- Tizeti Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Prices of Herbicides in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Prices of Amplifiers in Nigeria (2023)
- Transportation Business in Nigeria & Cost of Starting (2023)
- Wheelchair Prices in Nigeria (2023)
- Cost of Adoption in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Airtel Mini Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Glo Yakata Data Plan, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Spar Grocery Price List (September 2023)
- Best Domiciliary Accounts in Nigeria & Initial Deposits (2023)
- Prices of Hand Mixers in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Bluetooth Headset Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Glo Weekly Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Cost of Mining License in Nigeria (September 2023)
- MTN Night Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Airtel Router Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Mobil Oil Price List in Nigeria (September 2023)
- German Shepherd Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- 18 Karat Gold Price in Nigeria (2023)
- Driving Schools in Abuja and Their Prices (September 2023)
- 50,000 mAh Power Bank Prices in Nigeria (2023)
- Cost of Divorce in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Best Selling Snacks in Nigeria & Prices (September 2023)
- Longrich Price List (September 2023)
- Spectranet Unlimited Data Plans and Codes (September 2023)
- CIMA Exam Fees in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Castor Oil Price in Nigeria (2023)
- Kitchen Sink Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Cost of IELTS in Nigeria (2023) & How to Enrol
- Prices of Speakers in Nigeria (2023)
- Glo Monthly Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Teddy Bear Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- 9mobile Weekly Data Plans, Prices & Codes (September 2023)
- Dodge Ram 1500 Wiper Blade Size Chart (September 2023)
- Best Chemistry Textbooks in Nigeria & Prices (September 2023)
- Air Hostess Training Fees in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Sauvage Dior Perfume Price in Nigeria (September 2023)
- How Much is TOEFL Exam in Nigeria? (2023 Cost)
- Renewable Energy Courses in Nigeria & Prices (2023)
- 24 Karat Gold Price in Nigeria (2023)
- Cost of Mosquito Nets in Nigeria (2023)
- Mobil Engine Oil Prices in Nigeria (September 2023)
- Acura MDX Wiper Blade Size Chart (September 2023)
- Satin Paint Price in Nigeria (September 2023)