Divorce Cost Calculator
Estimate the full cost of your divorce — attorney fees, court filing, mediation, expert witness, and the cost drivers that turn a $1,500 uncontested case into a $40,000+ contested battle.
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Divorce costs in 2026 range from a few hundred dollars for a DIY uncontested filing to $80,000+ for a fully contested complex case with custody and business valuation disputes. The single biggest variable is whether you and your spouse can agree — not which lawyer you hire.
Average Divorce Cost by Type
Uncontested DIY: $300–$800 (court filing + paperwork). Uncontested with attorney: $1,500–$3,500. Mediated divorce: $3,500–$8,000 total for both spouses. Contested simple: $10,000–$25,000 per spouse. Contested complex (business, multi-property, custody fight): $25,000–$80,000+ per spouse. State filing fees range $100–$450.
What Drives Up the Cost
Disputed custody triggers a custody evaluation ($2,500–$8,000) and often a guardian ad litem. Business valuation in a marital estate adds $5,000–$25,000. Forensic accounting for hidden assets: $7,500+. The cost is roughly linear in attorney hours — every email, motion, deposition adds time on the clock at $200–$600/hour.
How to Reduce Divorce Cost
Try collaborative divorce or mediation first. Agree on as much as possible before retaining counsel — even partial agreements shrink hours. Use a single neutral financial advisor for both spouses where state rules allow. Limit discovery requests. Avoid using kids as leverage — custody fights are the #1 cost driver.
Last updated May 2026. Sources: ABA Family Law, Martindale-Avvo Divorce Survey.