Real numbers for South Dakota — filing fees, attorney rates, contested vs. uncontested costs, county breakdowns, and what you can do to reduce your total.
✓ Filing fees verified against South Dakota court records · Updated July 2026
Enter your specific situation — children, assets, contested issues — and get a real cost breakdown in 60 seconds. Free, private, no login.
Calculate My South Dakota Divorce Cost →The cost of divorce in South Dakota ranges from roughly $2,220 for a simple uncontested case to $24,800 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.
South Dakota has a 60-day waiting period and among the lowest filing fees and attorney rates in the US.
| Divorce Type | Low Estimate | Typical | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested, no children | $95 | $650 | $3,700 |
| Uncontested with children | $2,220 | $3,700 | $5,550 |
| Contested, no trial | $8,525 | $15,500 | $24,800 |
| Contested, goes to trial | $24,800 | $29,450 | $50,000+ |
| Savings going uncontested | Up to $11,800 per spouse | ||
The court filing fee in South Dakota 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: $95 statewide — third lowest in US
| Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls) | $95 |
| Pennington County (Rapid City) | $95 |
| Brown County (Aberdeen) | $92 |
Divorce attorney hourly rates in South Dakota average $185 per hour.
Get a personalized estimate in 60 seconds.
Open South Dakota Calculator →Filing fees based on South Dakota court records as of July 2026. This is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.