How Much Does It Cost to Get a Divorce? (Price Guide)

Divorce costs split into two parts. The first is the court filing fee, which is set by the state or county and is relatively small. The second is everything else: attorney fees, mediation, expert work, and any online service you use. The second part is usually where the bill grows.

The biggest driver is whether you and your spouse agree. Couples who settle the terms themselves can finish quickly and cheaply, while a dispute over property, support, or children adds hours at every step. This page lists published figures; consult a licensed family law attorney in your state about your own case.

The type of case matters more than any other factor.

An uncontested divorce, which you can often handle yourself or with an online service, costs $150 – $2,000. A moderately contested case settled through mediation or negotiation costs $3,000 – $10,000. A highly contested divorce that goes to trial costs $15,000 – $20,000.

The average and median rows are national figures from LegalZoom, which does not say when the underlying data was collected. Treat those two rows as a rough reference point and compare them with quotes from local attorneys.

Every state charges a fee to start a divorce, and the amount depends on where you file. Some courts allow a fee waiver for people who cannot afford it.

The typical US range is $200 – $400. The state examples above show the spread: California lists $435 – $450, a New York uncontested divorce costs at least $335 in court fees, and one Florida county lists $397.50 for a simplified divorce. These are examples, not a full state list. Fees change, and counties within a state can differ, so check with your local court clerk.

Family law attorneys usually charge by the hour and ask for an upfront retainer, which is a deposit billed against.

The average divorce attorney rate is $270/hr, according to LegalZoom, and Experian gives a family attorney range of $100 – $400/hr. Your total depends on how many hours the case takes. Ask how the retainer works, what happens when it runs out, and whether any tasks are billed to paralegals at a lower rate.

If you agree on the major terms, you can skip a long court fight. Two common options are an online document service and mediation.

In New York, DivorceNet lists online divorce services at $150 – $750, and mediation at $3,000 – $9,000 in total, which spouses usually split. Prices outside New York may be different. An online service prepares paperwork but does not give legal advice. Mediation puts a neutral person in the room, but the mediator cannot represent either spouse.

• Agreement between spouses. The more you settle, the less you pay.
• Children. Custody and parenting plans add negotiation.
• Property and debt. Real estate, a business, or retirement accounts take longer to divide.
• Support. Disputes over alimony or child support add hours.
• Experts. Appraisers, accountants, or custody evaluators carry their own fees.
• Where you file. Filing fees and attorney rates differ by state and county.
• Length of the case. Every court appearance adds cost.

DIY or online service

• Lowest cost, and often the fastest
• Suited to short marriages without children or complicated property
• No legal advice, so errors in the paperwork can slow the case

Mediation

• Costs less than a contested case and keeps decisions between the two of you
• Needs both spouses to negotiate in good faith
• Each side may still want a lawyer to review the agreement

Attorney

• Highest cost, with advice and representation
• Worth considering when there are children, significant assets, or safety concerns
• Necessary if the case goes to trial

Each source defines "divorce" differently. Some only count attorney fees, some add court costs, and some include online services at the low end.

Bankrate reports $10,000 – $20,000. LegalZoom reports $8,000 – $11,000, and Experian gives the widest span at $500 – $20,000. The wide gap between sources mostly reflects what each one counts, so compare them as ranges.

• Agree on as much as you can before talking to lawyers.
• Gather financial records early so billable time is not spent chasing them.
• Ask about mediation before filing a contested case.
• Request fee agreements in writing.
• Use your lawyer for legal questions and not as a counselor.