Online divorce services, mediation and hiring a family lawyer are the three main ways to get divorced. We compare them on cost, timeline, legal advice, court appearances and privacy, and explain who each path suits.
What each path typically costs
Online divorce
Plus court filing fees
$150 to $1,999
Mediation
In total, shared between spouses
$3,000 to $8,000
Family lawyers
Per spouse
$4,000 to $23,000+
Typical ranges. Lawyer costs are per-spouse survey averages from Nolo: about $4,100 uncontested, $10,600 settled and $20,000+ if issues go to trial. Costs vary by state, county and how much you and your spouse agree on.
Choosing how to navigate a divorce is the single most consequential financial and procedural decision you will make in the process. The path you pick shapes what you pay, how long it takes, whether anyone gives you legal advice and how much of your case becomes public record.
Below we compare the three primary paths side by side: online divorce services, divorce mediation and hiring your own family lawyer. We also cover the hybrid approach many couples use, the state rules that limit your options and free alternatives if cost is a barrier.
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Legal information, not legal advice
This page explains how each divorce path works and what it typically costs. It is not legal advice. Your state's laws and your circumstances decide which option is right for you. Speak to a family law attorney about your situation.
US scope
This guide covers divorce in the United States. Costs are typical ranges in US dollars and vary by state, county and case. Check current prices with any provider before you buy.
The table below compares online divorce, mediation and hiring family lawyers on the factors that matter most: who each path suits, what it costs, how long it takes and how much privacy you keep.
| Feature | Online divorce (DIY or guided) | Divorce mediation | Hiring family lawyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Amicable, uncontested divorces with complete mutual agreement | Moderate complexity, with spouses willing to negotiate neutral terms | High conflict, contested custody, or hidden or complex assets |
| Average cost | $150 to $1,999, plus court filing fees | $3,000 to $8,000 in total, split between spouses | About $4,000 (uncontested) to $23,000 or more (trial) per spouse |
| Average timeline | 1 to 3 months, subject to state waiting periods | 2 to 6 months | 9 to 24 months or more |
| Legal advice given? | No. Form completion and procedural guidance only (some platforms sell attorney add-ons) | No. A neutral mediator cannot advise either side | Yes. Full strategic legal advocacy for one spouse |
| Document preparation | Automated software or guided questionnaire | The mediator writes a summary (MOU); an attorney often drafts the final agreement | Custom-drafted by your attorney |
| Court appearances | Varies by state. Many courts finalize on paperwork; some, such as Texas, usually require a short final hearing | Varies by state. The signed agreement goes to a judge, sometimes with a short final hearing | Required for temporary hearings and trial |
| Process privacy | Paperwork is private until filed. The filed case is public record | Sessions are private, with limited exceptions. The filed case is public record | Lower. Hearings and contested filings add to the public record |
Online divorce services are legal document preparation software. You complete an interactive questionnaire about your marriage, property, debts and child arrangements. The software fills in your state's divorce forms and gives you step-by-step instructions for filing them with the court.
Process: questionnaire, then auto-generated forms, then court filing instructions, then the judge signs off.
How we chose these: national or state coverage, published starting price and the kind of guarantee offered. No provider paid to be listed. Prices were checked on provider sites in November 2026, so check the current price before you buy.
| Service | Starting price | Guarantee | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OnlineDivorce.com | $199 | 100% money-back | Best overall DIY, nationwide | Visit site |
| OH Divorce Online | $59 | 100% court acceptance | Ohio filings | Visit site |
| NH Divorce Online | $139 | 100% court acceptance | New Hampshire filings | Visit site |
| Divorce.com | $499 | 100% money-back | Guided interface and case management | Visit site |
| 3StepDivorce | $299 | 100% court acceptance | Flexible payment installments | Visit site |
| Hello Divorce | $137 | Tiered guarantee | Hybrid software and attorney mediation | Visit site |
| DivorceWriter | $137 | 100% money-back | Entry-level budget document prep | Visit site |
Divorce mediation uses a neutral third party, such as a certified mediator, a retired judge or a family law attorney acting as a neutral, to guide your discussions. The mediator helps both spouses negotiate terms and build a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) or Memorandum of Understanding. For a deeper comparison with going to court, see our guide to divorce mediation vs. litigation.
Each spouse hires their own family law attorney. Your attorney acts only for you: giving strategic advice, running formal discovery (such as subpoenaing bank records or business valuations), negotiating a settlement and taking the case to court if needed.
Many couples combine the affordability of mediation with the security of legal advice:
1
Negotiate with a mediator.
The couple works through all the major terms with a neutral mediator.
2
Get an independent review.
Before signing the final agreement, each spouse hires their own attorney for one to three hours to review it.
3
File the agreement.
The reviewed agreement is submitted to the court through an online filing service or the mediator.
Cost savings: the hybrid method typically costs $3,500 to $6,000 in total. That can save thousands compared with each spouse hiring a lawyer, and far more if the case would otherwise go to trial, while still protecting each spouse's legal rights.
State laws heavily affect which divorce path is legally viable for you:
Check the rules where you will file in our divorce guides by state.
If commercial services or private attorneys are out of reach, these resources cost little or nothing:
A practical, step-by-step guide for everything you need to think about, before, during and after divorce.
Get It FreeYes. An online divorce service only helps you prepare documents. The divorce becomes legally binding once the completed forms are filed with the court and a judge signs the final judgment.
No. A mediator is a neutral third party and is ethically barred from giving either spouse individual legal advice or representing either side. They can explain legal terms and options, but they cannot advocate for your interests.
If you cannot resolve the disagreement, your divorce becomes contested. You will need to move from the online platform to mediation or hire family law attorneys to settle the dispute.
No. In practice, US courts and bar rules treat one attorney representing both spouses in a divorce as a conflict of interest. One spouse can hire a lawyer to draft the paperwork while the other goes unrepresented, but that lawyer acts only for their client. An attorney can also act as a neutral mediator for both of you, but in that role they represent neither of you.
In most states, yes, with exceptions. Mediation discussions, proposals and drafts are generally confidential, so they usually cannot be used as evidence if the case goes to trial. Common exceptions include threats of harm, suspected child abuse, and disputes over whether the agreement was signed under fraud or duress. Ask your mediator how your state's rules apply.
Yes. Platform fees only cover document preparation and access to the service. Court filing fees, typically $200 to $450 depending on the county, are paid separately to the court clerk unless you qualify for a fee waiver.
Do not use an online divorce service or informal mediation. Hire a family law attorney who can use formal discovery, such as subpoenas, depositions and forensic accountants, to uncover hidden assets.
Yes, as long as you agree completely on legal custody, the parenting schedule, visitation and child support. If you disagree about parenting time or decision-making, you will need mediation or legal representation.
A consulting attorney typically charges their standard hourly rate, often $250 to $500 an hour, and needs one to three hours to review a mediated settlement and advise you on its terms.
Yes. A judge can reject an agreement if child support does not follow state guidelines, if the custody arrangements are not in the child's best interests, or if the terms are grossly unfair to one spouse.