Real numbers for California — filing fees, attorney rates, contested vs. uncontested costs, county breakdowns, and what you can do to reduce your total.
✓ Filing fees verified against California court records · Updated July 2026
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Calculate My California Divorce Cost →The cost of divorce in California ranges from roughly $3,900 for a simple uncontested case to $56,000 or more for a contested divorce that goes to trial. The single biggest factor is not the state — it is how much you and your spouse disagree.
California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period — the longest of any US state.
| Divorce Type | Low Estimate | Typical | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested, no children | $435 | $1,410 | $6,500 |
| Uncontested with children | $3,900 | $6,500 | $9,750 |
| Contested, no trial | $19,250 | $35,000 | $56,000 |
| Contested, goes to trial | $56,000 | $66,500 | $50,000+ |
| Savings going uncontested | Up to $28,500 per spouse | ||
The court filing fee in California is paid when you submit your divorce petition to the court. This is a fixed, unavoidable cost regardless of whether your divorce is contested or uncontested.
Filing fee note: $435 statewide — highest in the US
| All CA counties | $435 statewide fee |
| Los Angeles | |
| San Diego | |
| Orange | |
| SF | |
| Alameda | |
| Sacramento | |
Divorce attorney hourly rates in California average $400 per hour.
Get a personalized estimate in 60 seconds.
Open California Calculator →Filing fees based on California court records as of July 2026. This is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.