Divorce costs range from a few hundred dollars for DIY uncontested filings to tens of thousands when litigated. Here's where the money actually goes.
Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information about divorce costs and is not legal advice. Fees vary widely by state, county, and individual circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney.
Divorce costs span an enormous range — from a few hundred dollars for a do-it-yourself uncontested filing to tens of thousands of dollars when lawyers litigate every issue. The difference comes down to one thing more than any other: how much you fight. The more you and your spouse can agree on, the less it costs.
| Approach | Typical total cost | |----------|-------------------| | DIY uncontested (you do the paperwork) | $300 – $1,500 | | Mediated / online-assisted | $1,500 – $6,000 | | Litigated / contested with attorneys | $15,000 – $30,000+ per spouse |
Every divorce has a court filing fee, paid to the clerk to open the case. These typically run $100 to $450 depending on the state and county. Examples:
If you can't afford the fee, every state offers a fee waiver (sometimes called an affidavit of indigency) based on income.
Serving your spouse through a sheriff or process server usually costs $50 to $150. If your spouse signs a waiver of service, this can be free.
This is where costs explode. Divorce attorneys commonly charge $250–$500+ per hour, usually against a retainer of several thousand dollars up front. A contested custody or property fight can consume dozens of hours.
Nearly all of the high cost in a litigated divorce is attorney time spent on conflict: discovery, motions, negotiations, hearings, and trial. Reducing the number of contested issues directly reduces the bill. Couples who settle property, support, and parenting before involving lawyers heavily often spend a small fraction of those who litigate.
✅ Aim for an uncontested or agreed divorce ✅ Use mediation for the issues you can't resolve alone ✅ Prepare your own paperwork (or use a document service) when uncontested ✅ Request a fee waiver if you qualify ✅ Get organized — gather financial documents up front to cut billable hours ✅ Pick your battles — fighting over low-value items rarely pays off
Q: How much does a divorce cost on average? A: A DIY uncontested divorce often totals a few hundred to about $1,500. A contested divorce with attorneys commonly runs $15,000–$30,000 or more per spouse.
Q: What is the cheapest way to get a divorce? A: An uncontested divorce where you prepare your own documents and your spouse waives formal service. Your main cost is the court filing fee, which can be waived if you can't afford it.
Q: How much is the court filing fee? A: Usually $100–$450 depending on state and county. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.
Q: Why are divorce attorney fees so high? A: Attorneys bill by the hour ($250–$500+), and contested issues require many hours of discovery, negotiation, and court time. The more you fight, the higher the bill.
Q: Can I get divorced for free? A: Close to it. With a fee waiver and self-prepared documents, an uncontested divorce can cost almost nothing beyond your time. Legal aid organizations may also help low-income filers.
Most divorce spending is avoidable when the case is uncontested and the paperwork is right. Our platform produces complete, court-ready divorce documents for your state at a fraction of attorney costs — so you only pay a lawyer for the issues that genuinely need one. We don't provide legal advice or file for you.
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