How much does a divorce cost? Estimate total divorce expenses — court filing fees, attorney fees, mediation, court costs, process serving, expert fees, and child-related costs — in seconds with this free legal cost estimator.
Uncontested divorces typically cost $1,500–$5,000 nationally, driven mostly by your state's filing fee and your attorney's flat fee.
Contested divorces average $15,000–$50,000+ nationally — attorney fees (retainer plus billed hours) are usually the largest share.
Child-related proceedings add $5,000–$15,000 on average. Custody evaluations alone often cost $1,500–$5,000+.
Inputs: Court filing fee $350, attorney flat fee $2,500, document preparation $200, mediation $1,200, other costs $0.
Calculation: Total = $350 + $2,500 + $200 + $1,200 + $0 = $4,250.00. Range = $4,250.00 × 0.80 to $4,250.00 × 1.25.
Inputs: Filing fee $350, retainer $5,000, $350/hr × 40 hours, court costs $1,500, process serving $150, expert fees $2,500, other $500.
Calculation: Attorney cost = $5,000 + (40 × $350) = $19,000.00. Total = $350 + $19,000 + $1,500 + $150 + $2,500 + $500 = $24,000.00.
Inputs: Same as Example 2 plus parenting class $100 and custody evaluation $3,000.
Calculation: Total = $24,000.00 + $100 + $3,000 = $27,100.00. Range = $27,100.00 × 0.80 to $27,100.00 × 1.25.
Note: These examples use typical national figures. Actual costs depend on your state, attorney, and case complexity — use your own quotes for the most accurate result.
Typical values: Filing fee $100–$500 · Flat fee (uncontested) $1,000–$5,000 · Retainer (contested) $2,500–$10,000+ · Hourly rate $200–$500 · Mediation $500–$3,000 · Custody evaluation $1,500–$5,000+ · Parenting class $25–$150 · Process serving $50–$200
National averages: Uncontested $1,500–$5,000 · Contested $15,000–$50,000+ · Children add $5,000–$15,000
Pick Uncontested Divorce if you and your spouse agree on the terms, Contested Divorce if you expect disputes, or With Children if custody or parenting plans are involved.
Check your county court's filing fee schedule and ask attorneys for flat-fee or hourly quotes. For contested cases, ask how many hours a typical case takes — 30 to 100+ is common.
The total adds every expense you entered. The typical range (total × 0.80 to total × 1.25) accounts for normal variation by state, attorney, and case complexity. The step-by-step list shows which items drive your cost.
Every divorce starts with a court filing fee — typically $100–$500 depending on your state — and most add attorney fees, the single largest line item. In an uncontested divorce, an attorney usually charges a flat fee of $1,000–$5,000 because the work is predictable: forms, review, and filing. Add document preparation ($100–$500) and mediation ($500–$3,000) and you land in the typical $1,500–$5,000 range.
Contested divorces are different. Attorneys bill $200–$500 per hour, and disputes over property, support, or custody can consume 30–100+ hours on top of a $2,500–$10,000 retainer. Add court costs, process serving, and expert fees — appraisals, forensic accountants, custody evaluators — and totals of $15,000–$50,000+ are common. This calculator adds every line exactly as you enter it, then applies the range factor to show what your total could realistically be.
Whether the divorce is contested. This is the biggest driver. Agree on everything and you can finish in the low thousands; fight over assets, debts, support, or custody and hourly attorney time multiplies quickly.
Children. Custody disputes add custody evaluations ($1,500–$5,000+), parenting classes ($25–$150), and more attorney hours — child-related proceedings add $5,000–$15,000 on average.
Location and complexity. Filing fees and attorney rates vary widely by state and metro area, and complex assets — businesses, real estate, retirement accounts — often require appraisers and forensic accountants at $200–$500 per hour.
Try to settle out of court. An uncontested or mediated divorce often costs $2,000–$5,000 instead of $15,000+, and mediation sessions typically total $500–$3,000 for the same issues a judge would decide.
Consider limited-scope representation. Many attorneys offer unbundled services — document review, coaching, or negotiating specific issues — for a flat fee. This keeps you in control of the biggest cost driver: attorney hours.
Be organized and avoid the small fights. Gather financial documents before you hire anyone, complete discovery promptly, and avoid unnecessary motions — every filing and every hour you save stays in your pocket.
⚠️ Legal & Financial Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on typical national figures and the amounts you enter. Actual divorce costs vary by state, county, attorney, and the complexity of your case, and results are for educational and planning purposes only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state before making decisions about your divorce.
Before you commit, gather real numbers — your county's filing fee schedule, written quotes from two or three attorneys, and mediation or custody evaluation quotes. Real figures beat averages every time.