Real numbers for Minnesota — filing fees, attorney rates, contested vs. uncontested costs, county breakdowns, and what you can do to reduce your total.
✓ Filing fee and waiting period verified against current state statutes · Updated August 2026
Every Minnesota divorce — contested or not — passes through the same basic checkpoints:
Think of this as a general outline rather than a substitute for legal advice — a Minnesota family law attorney or your county's self-help resources can confirm the current forms and procedure for your situation.
Enter your specific situation — children, assets, contested issues — and get a real cost breakdown in 60 seconds. Free, private, no login.
Calculate My Minnesota Divorce Cost →The cost of divorce in Minnesota ranges from roughly $3,480 for a simple uncontested case to $36,800 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.
Minnesota has no mandatory waiting period but does not report divorce statistics to the CDC — one of 5 states that does not.
| Divorce Type | Low Estimate | Typical | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested, no children | $400 | $1,270 | $5,800 |
| Uncontested with children | $3,480 | $5,800 | $8,700 |
| Contested, no trial | $12,650 | $23,000 | $36,800 |
| Contested, goes to trial | $36,800 | $43,700 | $50,000+ |
| Savings going uncontested | Up to $17,200 per spouse | ||
The court filing fee in Minnesota 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: $400 statewide — one of the highest
| Hennepin County (Minneapolis) | $400 |
| Ramsey (St. Paul) | $400 |
| Dakota | $400 |
| Anoka | $400 |
Divorce attorney hourly rates in Minnesota average $290 per hour.
A Minneapolis couple with one child going through an uncontested divorce would typically spend $365 in filing fees and $2,500–$5,000 in attorney costs — total around $2,900–$5,500.
How much does a divorce cost in Minnesota?
An uncontested divorce in Minnesota typically costs $5,800–$8,700 including the $400 filing fee. A contested divorce averages $23,000–$36,800 per spouse depending on attorney hours and complexity.
Does Minnesota have a waiting period for divorce?
No. Minnesota has no mandatory waiting period for divorce.
How is property divided in Minnesota?
Minnesota uses equitable distribution. Courts divide marital property fairly based on contributions, length of marriage, and economic circumstances — not necessarily 50/50.
What is the filing fee for divorce in Minnesota?
The divorce filing fee in Minnesota is approximately $365, varying slightly by county.
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Open Minnesota Calculator →Filing fees based on Minnesota court records as of July 2026. This is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.