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Updated 2026

What Will Your Divorce Actually Cost?

Get real numbers, compare options, and budget for your divorce with state-specific cost breakdowns.

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Legal Cost Breakdown

Uncontested Divorce (No Attorney)

Low
$300
Average
$800
High
$1,500

Uncontested Divorce (With Attorney)

Low
$1,500
Average
$3,000
High
$5,000

Contested Divorce (No Children)

Low
$5,000
Average
$15,000
High
$25,000

Contested Divorce (With Children)

Low
$15,000
Average
$30,000
High
$50,000

High-Asset Contested Divorce

Low
$50,000
Average
$100,000
High
$250,000

Cost Factors

Child Custody Disputes

🔴 high

Custody battles require additional court hearings, evaluations, and attorney time, often adding $10,000-$30,000 to total costs

Property Division Complexity

🔴 high

Multiple properties, businesses, retirement accounts, and investments require appraisals and financial experts, significantly increasing costs

Attorney Hourly Rate

🔴 high

Divorce attorney rates typically range from $150-$500+ per hour depending on location and experience, with total hours varying from 10-100+

Court Filing and Administrative Fees

🟡 medium

Court filing fees range from $200-$400, plus costs for serving papers, mediation sessions, and document preparation

Mediation vs. Litigation

🔴 high

Mediation costs $3,000-$8,000 total and resolves cases faster, while litigation can exceed $50,000 and take 12-18 months

Legal Cost Calculator

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Results

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Attorney Fees —
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Methodology

This calculator estimates divorce costs based on key factors: type of divorce (uncontested vs. contested), attorney hourly rates in your area, estimated hours required, child custody complexity, and court filing fees. Uncontested divorces typically cost $500-$5,000, while contested divorces range from $15,000-$30,000+. High-conflict cases requiring trial can exceed $50,000. Additional costs include filing fees ($100-$1,000 depending on state), mediation, expert witnesses, custody evaluations ($2,000-$5,000), and document preparation. Attorney fees are the largest variable, with rates varying by location and experience.

Understanding Legal

Welcome to Costofdivorce, your complete resource for everything related to Legal. Our team of experts has put together this guide to help you work through the most important decisions.

What You Need to Know

Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced professional, understanding the fundamentals of Legal is essential. In this guide, we cover the key factors that affect quality, cost, and long-term satisfaction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an uncontested divorce cost?
An uncontested divorce typically costs between $500 and $3,000, including court filing fees of $200-$400 and attorney fees if you hire limited help. If you file yourself without an attorney and have no contested issues, you can complete the process for under $500 in most states.
What is the average cost of a contested divorce?
A contested divorce averages $15,000 to $30,000 per spouse when going to trial, with complex cases involving business assets or custody battles reaching $50,000 to $100,000 or more. Attorney fees typically run $250-$500 per hour, and contested cases require 40-100+ billable hours.
How much do divorce lawyers charge per hour?
Divorce attorneys charge between $200 and $600 per hour depending on location and experience, with the national average around $270 per hour. Most require a retainer of $2,500 to $5,000 upfront, which is drawn down as they bill hours to your case.
What are divorce filing fees by state?
Court filing fees for divorce range from $100 in Mississippi and Wyoming to over $400 in California and Illinois. Most states charge between $200 and $350 to file a petition for dissolution of marriage, with fee waivers available for low-income filers in all states.
How much does divorce mediation cost compared to litigation?
Divorce mediation costs $3,000 to $8,000 total for both spouses, with mediators charging $100-$300 per hour for 10-20 hours of sessions. This is 50-80% less expensive than litigated divorce, and most couples complete mediation within 2-4 months versus 12-18 months for court battles.
What additional costs should I budget for during divorce?
Beyond attorney fees, expect to pay $500-$1,500 for financial advisors or accountants, $1,000-$5,000 for property appraisals, $2,000-$15,000 for child custody evaluations if contested, and $300-$1,000 for document preparation and copying. Expert witnesses for complex financial cases can add $5,000-$20,000 to total costs.
Does the length of marriage affect divorce costs?
Longer marriages typically cost more to divorce, with marriages over 10 years averaging $23,000 per person versus $15,000 for shorter marriages, primarily due to more complex asset division and potential alimony disputes. Marriages under 5 years with no children and minimal assets can often be resolved for $1,500-$5,000 total.

Sources & References

  1. [1]
    Consumer Information ↗USA.govRetrieved 2026-01Federal consumer information
  2. [2]
    Consumer Price Index ↗Bureau of Labor StatisticsRetrieved 2026-01Price trends and inflation data

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