The number you'll see most often online is $15,000. That's the average cost of a divorce in the United States, and it's about as useful as knowing the average temperature of a hospital. It tells you almost nothing about your specific situation.
The real range is $500 to $50,000 or more, and where you fall depends almost entirely on two things: whether you and your spouse can agree, and which state you're in.
The two types of divorce and what they cost
Every divorce is either contested or uncontested. This single variable is the biggest cost driver of everything that follows.
Uncontested divorce means you and your spouse agree on everything — property division, debt, child custody, child support, alimony. You hand the court a done deal and they formalize it.
Contested divorce means you disagree on one or more things and need the legal process — and eventually, maybe a judge — to sort it out. Attorney hours add up fast when there is conflict.
| Type | Typical total cost (per spouse) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontested, no kids, simple assets | $500-$1,500 | 3-6 months |
| Uncontested with children | $1,500-$5,000 | 4-8 months |
| Contested, no kids | $8,000-$20,000 | 6-18 months |
| Contested with children or significant assets | $15,000-$50,000+ | 1-3 years |
Those are per-spouse numbers. A contested divorce with kids that costs $25,000 per side is a $50,000 total family expense — money that in many cases comes directly out of assets that would otherwise be divided between the two of you.
What you are actually paying for
Court filing fees
These are fixed costs set by your state court system. They range from about $80 in Wyoming to over $400 in California. Filing fees are the same whether your divorce is simple or complicated — you pay them either way.
Attorney fees
This is where the money goes in contested divorces. Family law attorneys charge by the hour and require a retainer upfront — typically $2,500 to $10,000 — that they draw from as they work. In most major US cities, attorneys charge $250-$450 per hour. In NYC and San Francisco, $400-$600 is common.
An uncontested divorce might require 5-10 hours of attorney time on each side. A contested divorce involving custody and a house can run 40-100+ hours per attorney. Do that math and you understand where the $30,000 figure comes from.
Mediation
If you cannot agree but do not want to go to court, mediation is the middle option. A neutral mediator helps you negotiate. Costs run $150-$300 per hour, and sessions typically last 3-8 hours spread over multiple meetings. Total mediation costs usually land between $2,000 and $8,000 — much less than full litigation.
Child custody evaluations
When custody is contested and a judge orders a professional evaluation, you are looking at $2,000-$10,000 for a custody evaluator's report. This is one of the costs that surprises people most because it is not something you can control once a judge orders it.
How children change the math
Children do not just add emotional complexity — they add specific legal processes that cost money. Child support calculations, parenting plan negotiations, and custody arrangements all require additional attorney time even in relatively cooperative divorces.
The self-help option
If your divorce is truly uncontested — no children, minimal shared assets, both parties agree on everything — you can potentially handle it using your state's court forms. Many courts have self-help centers for exactly this purpose. Total cost: $80-$450 depending on state.
Online divorce services ($300-$800) are another option for simple uncontested cases — they prepare the paperwork for you and walk you through the process without the cost of a full attorney.
Get your state-specific estimate
Enter your state, your situation, and the calculator gives you a realistic cost range — including filing fees, attorney estimates, and what going uncontested could save you.
Calculate My Divorce CostCost estimates are based on 2026 national averages and state-specific data. Individual costs vary significantly. This is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your specific situation.