Divorce Cost Calculator

Last updated July 2, 2026

Divorce is one of the most financially disruptive life events most people experience, and the cost range is so wide that average figures are nearly meaningless without understanding the primary driver: contested versus uncontested. An uncontested divorce — where both parties agree on the major issues of property division, support, and custody before involving attorneys — typically costs $500 to $3,000, covering filing fees ($70 to $435 depending on state), document preparation, and minimal legal review. A contested divorce where disagreements require negotiation and court involvement runs $15,000 to $30,000 per spouse on average, according to Martindale-Nolo research, with the national average for all divorce types landing around $11,300. A contested divorce that proceeds to full trial can cost $50,000 or more per party.

Attorney fees are the primary cost variable, and hourly rates in 2026 range from $150 to $500 nationally, with the national average around $313 per hour based on Clio's Legal Trends Report. Beyond attorney time, divorces involving complex finances often require forensic accountants, business valuators, or real estate appraisers — each adding $2,000 to $15,000 or more to the total. Mediation offers a middle path: professional mediators typically charge $295 to $550 per hour, with most divorces resolved in three to five sessions, producing total costs of $3,500 to $6,000 split between both parties — 60 to 80 percent less than contested litigation while producing outcomes both parties negotiate rather than having imposed by a judge.

The biggest financial decision in a divorce is whether to contest or settle, not which attorney to hire. Every hour of dispute adds to a bill that both parties pay. Calculate the cost of contesting a specific issue — property, support, custody — against the dollar value of the outcome you're fighting for, and consider whether mediation could reach an acceptable resolution for a fraction of the cost.