📍 North Carolina · 2026

How Much Does a Divorce Cost in North Carolina?

Real numbers for North Carolina — filing fees, attorney rates, contested vs. uncontested costs, county breakdowns, and what you can do to reduce your total.

✓ Filing fees verified against North Carolina court records · Updated July 2026

Filing Fee
$225
Court filing cost
Attorney Rate
$240/hr
Avg in North Carolina
Uncontested
$4,800
Avg total cost
Contested
$19,500
Avg total cost
Waiting Period
12 months
Mandatory minimum
Property Law
Equitable Split
equitable state

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Divorce Costs in North Carolina: The Full Breakdown

The cost of divorce in North Carolina ranges from roughly $2,880 for a simple uncontested case to $31,200 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.

North Carolina requires a 12-month separation period before filing — you must live separately for one full year first.

Divorce TypeLow EstimateTypicalHigh Estimate
Uncontested, no children$225$945$4,800
Uncontested with children$2,880$4,800$7,200
Contested, no trial$10,725$19,500$31,200
Contested, goes to trial$31,200$37,050$50,000+
Savings going uncontestedUp to $14,700 per spouse
The most important number The difference between uncontested and contested in North Carolina is approximately $14,700 per spouse. That is money that stays in your family rather than going to attorneys.

⚖️ North Carolina Filing Fees by County

The court filing fee in North Carolina 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: $225 statewide uniform fee

Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)$225
Wake County (Raleigh)$225
Guilford (Greensboro)$225
Forsyth (Winston-Salem)$225

💼 Attorney Fees in North Carolina

Divorce attorney hourly rates in North Carolina average $240 per hour.

How to Reduce Your Divorce Costs in North Carolina

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Filing fees based on North Carolina court records as of July 2026. This is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.