Simple Divorce Cost: Average Fees Explained

A simple divorce is one where both spouses agree on every major point: who keeps what, who pays what, and, if there are children, how they will be raised. Lawyers and courts usually call this an uncontested divorce. Because nobody argues in front of a judge, the bill is mostly paperwork, a court fee, and whatever help you choose to buy.

Two choices set the price more than anything else. One is whether you prepare the forms yourself, use an online service, or pay an attorney. The other is the state where you file, since each court sets its own fee. The figures below come from published guides, and they describe typical cases rather than yours.

When spouses agree but still want a professional to draft the settlement and file the papers, the cost climbs. J.P. Sherman Law puts the average for an uncontested case with legal representation at $4,100. The same source lists attorney assistance in an uncontested case at $1,500 – $5,000.

The gap is wide because attorneys price this work in different ways. Some charge a flat fee for the whole filing, others bill by the hour against a retainer, and others sell limited help such as reviewing an agreement you wrote. Ask which of these applies before you sign anything, and ask what the quote leaves out.

An online service asks you questions and turns the answers into the forms your court expects. It does not give legal advice and it does not represent you.

DivorceNet lists online services at $150 – $750 for New York, and prices elsewhere may differ. That fee covers document preparation only. You still pay the court separately and you still file the papers or send them in. These services tend to fit short marriages with little property and no disputes, though a licensed family law attorney in your state can tell you whether your situation qualifies.

Every divorce starts with a filing fee paid to the court. It is a smaller share of the total, but it is the one part you cannot avoid.

The typical US range is $100 – $400 according to LegalZoom, and Experian gives $200 – $400. For examples, California lists $435 – $450, and an uncontested divorce in New York costs at least $335 in court fees. Fees change, and some courts reduce or waive them for people with low income, so check the current amount with your county clerk or state court website.

Doing it yourself is the cheapest route, and it is realistic only when the marriage is short and nothing is in dispute. You will fill out forms, serve your spouse in the way your state requires, and answer any questions from the clerk. A mistake can send the paperwork back and slow the case down.

An online service saves some of that effort by checking that the forms are complete. It leaves the legal questions to you, such as whether your agreement on property and support is fair or enforceable.

An attorney costs the most and gives the most protection. People with children, a home, retirement accounts, or a business often choose this route even when they agree, because a poorly written settlement is hard to fix later. For any of these choices, consult a licensed family law attorney in your state about your own case.

The three sources above do not measure the same thing. LegalZoom reports $150 – $2,000 for a do-it-yourself or online divorce. J.P. Sherman Law reports $1,500 – $5,000 and counts attorney assistance. DivorceNet reports $150 – $750 for an online service in New York only, which leaves out court fees and any lawyer.

So a low figure from one source and a high figure from another are not in conflict. One adds a lawyer and the other does not. When you compare prices, check whether the number includes the filing fee, the cost of serving your spouse, and any attorney time.

A divorce that starts out simple can change if one spouse stops agreeing. A few things commonly cause that.

• Children, because custody and support terms must usually be approved by the court
• Property such as a house, a business, or retirement accounts that need valuation or division
• Disagreement over alimony or debt
• A spouse who cannot be found or does not respond, which can add service costs and time
• Paperwork errors that the court rejects

If the case becomes contested, the attorney costs listed on state pages can be much higher than the ranges here. Many couples try mediation first when a single issue is stuck.

• Write down your agreement on property, debts, and children before filing anything.
• Gather statements and records early so nobody pays for time spent searching.
• Ask the court clerk whether your county offers self-help forms or a help center.
• If you hire a lawyer, ask for a flat fee in writing and ask what it covers.
• Read every form before you sign it, including the ones an online service prepares.