Hidden Court Fees: The Expenses Nobody Tells You About

Budgeting for a lawsuit? You probably know about the filing fee and the lawyer's hourly rate. But the "hidden" administrative costs of the court system can add up quickly.

Common Hidden Fees

Here are some expenses that catch litigants off guard:

• Service of Process: You must pay a sheriff or private process server to deliver papers to the other party ($50-$150).
• Motion Fees: Every time your lawyer asks the judge to do something (a motion), there is often a filing fee attached ($20-$100 per motion).
• Court Reporter Fees: If you want a transcript of a hearing, you have to pay the court reporter, often per page ($300+).
• Parenting Classes: In divorce cases with children, many states mandate a parenting course ($50-$100).
• Mediation Costs: Courts often require mediation before trial, and you split the cost of the mediator ($500+).

Always keep a buffer of at least $1,000 in your legal budget for these miscellaneous expenses.