If both spouses are in agreement as to legal separation and its terms, it may involve only the cost of the court filing fee, which is currently $210 in New York, and notary public services. If spouses decide to have the agreement drafted by an attorney, which is recommended because of the legal complexities involved, the expense will rise to account for preparation time. When spouses disagree on terms, the process becomes much more complex as they may need to engage attorneys to negotiate on their behalf and ensure their individual rights are protected. Legal separation in this case becomes significantly more costly depending on the time spent going back and forth in the negotiation process.