The honest numbers
An uncontested divorce in the United States typically costs between fifteen hundred and four thousand dollars. A contested divorce that goes to trial routinely costs twenty to fifty thousand dollars per spouse, and complex cases can run into six figures.
Where the money goes
Attorney hours are the largest line item. Filing fees, mediator fees, custody evaluators, forensic accountants, and appraisers can each add thousands depending on the complexity of your assets and the level of conflict.
How to spend less
Cooperation is the cheapest legal strategy. Couples who can agree on the major issues — division of assets, custody, and support — can often complete a divorce for under five thousand dollars total. Mediation, collaborative divorce, and online divorce services are all worth investigating before you retain a litigator.
Get the Free Divorce Preparation Checklist
Sources
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
Whether you're just starting to ask questions or already deep in the process, we have resources built for exactly where you are.