When a spouse has disappeared, the court requires that a diligent search be made to locate him or her. If the search is not successful, I can petition the court to permit papers to be sent to the last known address or to the address of a relative. I charge $100.00 for the search (over and above the base rate for simple divorce, and expected to be paid when the divorce is filed), and another $100.00 for the Motion for Special Service if we do not succeed in locating the defendant. Out of pocket expenses (including service by publication, which the court may order) are the responsibility of the client and I require an advance deposit of $25.00 against these expenses at the time of filing.

Here is the breakdown:

• $150.00 base rate for simple divorce
• $100.00 fee for search
• $138.50 filing fee
• $ 25.00 deposit against expenses
• $413.50 NEEDED TO START

ADDITIONAL CHARGES:

• $100.00 fee for filing of special service motion
• $ 43.00 court costs for fault hearing if necessary
• $ 15.00 decree costs

Publication costs can be several hundred dollars; however, it is rare for the court to order service by publication in a simple divorce.

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