What Does a Divorce Actually Cost?
The total cost of a divorce in the U.S. ranges from as little as $500 for a simple uncontested DIY filing to over $100,000 for complex contested divorces involving businesses, significant assets, or contentious custody disputes. Most couples land somewhere in the $5,000–$30,000 range depending on how cooperative both parties are.
The single biggest driver of cost is whether your divorce is contested or uncontested — not the state you live in, not how many assets you have.
Uncontested vs. Contested: The Core Cost Split
| Type | Typical Cost | Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY / Online | $500–$2,000 | 1–3 months | No children, minimal assets |
| Uncontested (attorney) | $3,000–$10,000 | 3–6 months | Agreeable spouses, simple estate |
| Mediated | $5,000–$15,000 | 4–9 months | Disagreements but willing to negotiate |
| Contested | $15,000–$50,000+ | 12–36 months | Complex assets, custody disputes |
Breaking Down the Major Cost Categories
Court Filing Fees
Every state charges a filing fee to initiate divorce proceedings. These range from $75 in Wyoming to $435 in California. The national average is around $300–$350. If you can't afford fees, most states allow fee waivers based on income.
Attorney Fees
Family law attorneys typically charge $200–$400/hour in mid-size cities and $400–$600+/hour in major metros like NYC, LA, or San Francisco. A straightforward uncontested divorce might require 5–10 hours of attorney time. A contested divorce with custody and property disputes can easily run 50–150+ hours per side.
Mediation Costs
Professional mediators charge $150–$400/hour and most divorce mediations take 3–8 sessions. Total mediation cost typically runs $3,000–$10,000 — significantly less than litigating the same disputes in court. Many courts now require mediation attempts before scheduling contested hearings.
Expert Witness and Appraisal Fees
If you have complex assets — a business, real estate, pension, or stock options — you'll likely need appraisals. Business valuations run $3,000–$15,000. Real estate appraisals cost $300–$700. Child custody evaluators charge $3,000–$10,000.
Average Divorce Cost by State (2026)
| State | Avg. Total Cost | Filing Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $26,300 | $435 | High attorney rates, 6-mo waiting period |
| New York | $23,500 | $210 | Complex property laws in NYC metro |
| Texas | $15,600 | $250–$350 | 60-day waiting period |
| Florida | $13,500 | $400 | No-fault state, relatively straightforward |
| Illinois | $13,800 | $289 | Chicago metro drives up attorney costs |
| Georgia | $10,700 | $200 | Lower attorney rates outside Atlanta |
| Arkansas | $8,900 | $165 | Among more affordable states |
| Wyoming | $5,200 | $75 | Lowest filing fee in the U.S. |
How to Keep Divorce Costs Down
The most effective ways to reduce divorce costs are also the least dramatic: agree on as much as possible before hiring attorneys, use mediation for disputes instead of litigation, and consider a collaborative divorce process where both attorneys are legally committed to reaching a settlement without going to court.
Online divorce services (HelloDivorce, 3StepDivorce, CompleteCase) can handle paperwork for $300–$1,500 if you and your spouse agree on everything. They're not a substitute for an attorney if your situation is complex, but they work well for short marriages with no children and minimal shared property.
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