Real numbers for Rhode Island — 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
However complicated the details get, nearly every Rhode Island divorce follows the same underlying sequence:
This outline is meant as general orientation, not a substitute for legal advice — check with a Rhode Island family law attorney or your courthouse's self-help center for the forms specific to your case.
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Calculate My Rhode Island Divorce Cost →The cost of divorce in Rhode Island ranges from roughly $3,000 for a simple uncontested case to $33,600 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.
Rhode Island has a 90-day "nisi" waiting period between the nominal divorce hearing and the final judgment. As the smallest state, attorney availability and rates are consistent statewide.
| Divorce Type | Low Estimate | Typical | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested, no children | $160 | $910 | $5,000 |
| Uncontested with children | $3,000 | $5,000 | $7,500 |
| Contested, no trial | $11,550 | $21,000 | $33,600 |
| Contested, goes to trial | $33,600 | $39,900 | $50,000+ |
| Savings going uncontested | Up to $16,000 per spouse | ||
The court filing fee in Rhode Island 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: $160 statewide
| Providence County | $160 |
| Kent County | $160 |
| Washington County | $160 |
| Newport County | $160 |
Divorce attorney hourly rates in Rhode Island average $260 per hour.
A Providence couple with no children going through an uncontested divorce would spend $160 in filing fees and $2,500–$5,000 in attorney costs — total around $2,700–$5,300.
How much does a divorce cost in Rhode Island?
An uncontested divorce in Rhode Island typically costs $5,000–$7,500 including the $160 filing fee. A contested divorce averages $21,000–$33,600 per spouse depending on attorney hours and complexity.
What is Rhode Island's waiting period for divorce?
Rhode Island has a mandatory 3-month waiting period from the date of filing.
Is Rhode Island a no-fault divorce state?
Yes. Rhode Island allows no-fault divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences.
How is property divided in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island uses equitable distribution. Courts divide marital property fairly based on contributions, length of marriage, and each spouse's financial circumstances.
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Open Rhode Island Calculator →Filing fees based on Rhode Island court records as of July 2026. This is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.