Free calculator
Divorce Cost Calculator
A private, step-by-step estimate of what a divorce may cost you, based on the path you choose, whether you have children, the property involved and your attorney's hourly rate. Every assumption is visible and adjustable.
Educational estimate only. Lawyer Magazine is a publication, not a law firm, and this tool is not legal advice. Your calculation stays in your browser and is not stored.
How this calculator works
- 1
Choose your path
A do-it-yourself uncontested divorce costs little more than court fees. Hiring an attorney for an uncontested case, using mediation or going to court each add very different amounts of professional time.
- 2
Add what makes it harder
Children, a house, retirement accounts or a business all add work: parenting plans, valuations, property transfers and more negotiation.
- 3
Set your rates
Attorney and mediator rates vary widely by city. Enter the rates you have been quoted, or keep the defaults as a rough national guide.
- 4
See the range per spouse
The estimate shows low and high scenarios for one spouse, broken down into court fees, attorney time, mediation and experts.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a divorce cost on average?
- Costs depend mostly on how much the spouses disagree. An uncontested divorce filed without lawyers can cost only the court filing fee and a few hundred dollars more, while a contested divorce that goes to trial can cost each spouse tens of thousands of dollars in attorney and expert fees.
- What is the cheapest way to get divorced?
- An uncontested divorce, where you agree on everything and file the paperwork yourselves, is usually the cheapest. Many courts offer forms, self-help centers and fee waivers for people with low incomes.
- Is mediation cheaper than going to court?
- Usually, yes. Couples share one mediator, sessions are scheduled efficiently, and fewer formal court steps are needed. Many people still pay an attorney to review the final agreement, which is included in this estimate.
- Why do children make a divorce more expensive?
- Custody and parenting time require a parenting plan, sometimes parenting classes, and in contested cases a custody evaluation or a guardian ad litem. Disagreement over children is one of the biggest drivers of attorney hours.
- Who pays for the divorce?
- Each spouse usually pays their own attorney. Courts can order one spouse to contribute to the other's fees when incomes are very unequal, and filing fees can be waived for people who cannot afford them.
- How accurate is this estimate?
- It is a planning tool built on typical hours for each type of case, not a quote. Local rates, how cooperative both spouses are and unexpected disputes can move the real cost well outside the range.
Have a story tip, correction or question?
Write to our editors. For a quick estimate on your own situation, our free calculators are a good first step.