Divorce cost calculator,
four realistic scenarios, not one guess.

Cost guide

Why divorce costs vary so widely

Cited national figures for the "average" cost of divorce range from roughly $7,000 to $17,500 or more, depending on the source and methodology — and the real distribution behind those numbers is genuinely bimodal, not a bell curve around one figure. A large group of couples spends under a few thousand dollars on a straightforward, uncontested divorce. A smaller group spends $15,000 to $35,000 or more, sometimes considerably more, on a contested one. An average that blends those two groups describes neither well, which is why this tool compares four realistic scenarios instead of producing a single number.

Uncontested, without an attorney

The least expensive path when it applies: both spouses agree on everything — property, debt, custody, support — and file the paperwork themselves. Cost is largely limited to the court filing fee ($70 to $435 depending on state and county, most states $200-400) and a service-of-process fee if your spouse needs to be formally served. Many states offer a simplified or summary process for cases with no minor children and few assets.

Uncontested, with an attorney

Still in full agreement, but paying an attorney to prepare and review the paperwork correctly — commonly a flat fee in the $1,000-5,000 range, plus the court's own filing fee separately. Worth it when there's real property, retirement accounts, or anything you'd rather have professionally reviewed before it's final.

Mediated

A neutral mediator (attorney or non-attorney) helps both spouses negotiate the terms directly, typically at $150-400 per hour across several sessions. Mediation commonly runs 40-60% cheaper than a comparable contested case, but it requires both spouses to negotiate in reasonably good faith — it isn't a substitute for agreement, just a structured, lower-cost way to reach one.

Contested

When spouses can't agree and the case proceeds through attorneys and the court. Attorney hourly rates commonly run $270-344, and an upfront retainer of $3,000-10,000 is standard — but the retainer is a deposit against hourly billing, not the final bill. There is genuinely no fixed ceiling here: high-conflict cases, contested custody, or disputes requiring a business valuation are cited running $50,000 to $200,000 or more, driven almost entirely by how many hours the dispute actually takes.

What isn't captured by the filing fee alone

A filing fee only covers submitting the initial petition. Depending on your case, you may separately owe fees for serving your spouse, filing a response, requesting temporary orders, or bringing a motion — none of which are included in that first number, and none of which are optional if they apply to you.

Children and custody

Several states charge a modest additional filing surcharge (commonly $25-80) when minor children are involved — a small, mechanical cost. The real cost driver is a genuine custody dispute, not the surcharge: a contested custody matter can mean evaluators, guardians ad litem, and repeated hearings, and is the single factor most likely to push a case from a few thousand dollars into the tens of thousands. See the Child Support Calculator for the ongoing support side of this, separate from the divorce's one-time legal costs.

Disclaimer

This calculator provides planning estimates based on commonly cited ranges from multiple sources, not a quote. Actual costs depend heavily on your state, county, and the specifics of your situation. Consult a licensed family-law attorney in your jurisdiction before making financial decisions based on these figures.