Flat Fee Divorce in Alabama: What $1,000 or $1,300 Covers

When both spouses agree on the terms of a divorce, the next question is often how much it will cost to put that agreement into legally appropriate paperwork. Apex Law LLC offers flat fee uncontested divorces in Alabama for qualifying agreed cases: $1,000 without minor children and without post-judgment issues, or $1,300 with minor children. Court filing fees are additional.

These are Apex Law's attorney fees for the defined service, not a statewide court price or an estimate of what every divorce costs. Our Flat Fee No Contest Divorce page explains the offer, eligibility requirements, and limits in one place.

The attorney fee and the filing fee are separate

The flat attorney fee pays for the work included in your written engagement agreement. The filing fee is the separate charge associated with opening the court case. Because court filing fees vary by county, the attorney fee alone should not be treated as the entire amount needed to file.

For a qualifying divorce without children, the starting calculation is $1,000 plus the applicable filing fee. For a qualifying divorce with children, it is $1,300 plus the applicable filing fee. Any work outside the defined package should be identified and discussed before it is undertaken.

What makes a divorce eligible for the flat fee?

Both spouses must have reached full agreement before drafting begins. That includes the division of property and debts, any alimony, and other terms that apply to the marriage. When children are involved, custody, parenting time, support, health insurance, and related issues must also be addressed.

An agreement to get divorced is only part of the picture. If you agree that the marriage is over but disagree about who keeps the home or how parenting time will work, the terms are not ready for an uncontested package.

What work is included?

For a qualifying agreed case, Apex Law reviews the agreed terms, prepares the divorce documents within the engagement's scope, guides its client through review and signing, and submits the required paperwork to the appropriate Alabama court. The written agreement identifies the services covered by the flat fee.

Up to two minor revisions are included. These are limited corrections or clarifications to terms already agreed upon. They are not a substitute for ongoing negotiations over property, support, or a parenting schedule.

What can move the matter outside the flat fee?

If the spouses are not in full agreement, or more than two minor revisions are required, continued representation moves outside the flat fee package. Apex Law requires a contested-matter retainer and hourly billing under a separate written fee agreement for that additional work. The scope and fees are explained and agreed upon before proceeding.

Post-judgment matters are evaluated and priced case by case. Modifications, enforcement, and complicated qualified domestic relations orders, often called QDROs, are outside the standard package and may cost more. Mention existing orders and retirement benefits at the outset so the proposed fee addresses the actual work.

A practical example

Suppose spouses without minor children have agreed on their property, debts, and alimony terms and need those terms put into divorce documents. After review confirms that the case qualifies, the $1,000 attorney fee plus the filing fee can apply. If one spouse then asks to reopen the property division, that is a new substantive issue to resolve, even if the spouses still agree to end the marriage.

A flat fee does not guarantee a completion date

Alabama's court process still applies. Under Ala. Code § 30-2-8.1, the required 30-day period must expire after the summons and complaint are filed before a final divorce judgment can be entered. Payment or signing an engagement agreement does not start that clock.

For a fully agreed case with complete information, approximately 45–60 days after the required divorce documents are signed is a working estimate, assuming prompt filing and court review. It is not a guaranteed deadline.

Choose how to start

Choose a $200 phone consultation or a free paper evaluation when you fill out our Contact Us form. Tell us you are interested in a flat fee no contest divorce and briefly describe what you and your spouse have agreed on. We will let you know which papers are needed for review.

Apex Law LLC serves clients throughout Alabama from Huntsville and Birmingham. Office visits are by appointment only. The firm represents the client who retains it; the other spouse may obtain independent legal advice.

Checking your county’s divorce filing fee

Confirm the current new-divorce filing fee with the circuit clerk for the proper county and division before budgeting. Ask whether the amount includes service charges, electronic-filing costs, and payment-processing fees. A modification or enforcement filing is a different proceeding and may carry a different charge.

• Madison County: consult the Madison County circuit clerk’s official website and confirm the amount for your filing.

• Jefferson County: use the official domestic-relations fee page and confirm whether your case belongs in the Birmingham or Bessemer Division. The linked page displays an older effective date; its posted figure is not a verified current quote.

• Other counties: confirm the current amount with the clerk where counsel determines the case should be filed.

Apex Law will identify the applicable filing expense. Do not choose a county solely for a lower advertised fee. For the steps after intake, read our online uncontested divorce process guide.