How Much Does a Divorce Cost?
Divorce cost calculator — estimate attorney fees, court filing, mediation, QDRO, and alimony in all 50 states.
Estimated Divorce Costs
Total Legal Cost Estimate $30,800 – $90,850
Attorney Fees (both spouses) $24,000 – $70,000
Mediation $3,000 – $10,000
Court Filing Fee $300 – $350
QDRO (retirement split) $500 – $2,500
Custody Evaluation $3,000 – $8,000
Financial outcome estimate
Each Spouse's Asset Share $125,000
Property Division Rule Community property (50/50)
Alimony Likelihood Possible
Est. Monthly Alimony $667 – $1,167
Est. Alimony Duration 2–5 years
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How the cost estimate works
- Attorney fees are the largest cost and the most variable. Uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all terms cost $1,500–$5,000 per spouse. Contested divorces — disagreements over custody, property, or support — typically run $12,000–$35,000 per spouse before trial. The estimate here covers both spouses combined.
- Court filing fee is fixed by state statute and ranges from about $150 (several Midwest states) to $435 (California). A small number of states charge additional fees for complex cases.
- Mediation is often required before a contested trial and sometimes optional in uncontested cases. A neutral mediator charges $150–$350 per hour; sessions typically run 4–8 hours for a contested case.
- QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) — required to divide a 401(k), 403(b), or pension without triggering early withdrawal penalties or taxes. A specialist charges $500–$2,500 to draft and file it.
- Custody evaluation — if a contested custody dispute is escalated, the court may appoint a psychologist or social worker to evaluate the parenting situation. Cost ranges from $3,000 to $8,000, typically shared by both parties.
Alimony (spousal support) estimate
Alimony is most likely when the marriage lasted 10+ years and there is a significant income gap. Courts consider multiple factors; this calculator uses a rough income-gap approximation (20–35% of annual difference) and a duration of roughly 35–60% of the marriage length. Your state may use a different formula or require a specific court order.
Asset division note
Community property states (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI) divide marital assets 50/50 by default. In equitable distribution states the court aims for fairness, which often results in a roughly equal split but may deviate based on contributions, earning capacity, and need. The per-spouse share shown is the before-legal-costs amount.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does a contested divorce cost?
- A contested divorce in the United States typically costs $30,000 to $80,000 in total legal expenses — $15,000–$35,000 in attorney fees per spouse, plus mediation, court filing, and additional costs for custody evaluations or retirement account splits (QDRO). Cases that go to trial can exceed $100,000 per side.
- What is the difference between community property and equitable distribution?
- In the nine community property states (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI), marital assets are generally split 50/50. In the remaining equitable distribution states, the court divides assets fairly but not necessarily equally — the typical outcome is still close to 50/50, but a judge can award more to one spouse based on contributions, need, and other factors.
- What is a QDRO and why does it cost extra?
- A QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) is a court order that divides a retirement account like a 401(k) or pension between divorcing spouses without triggering early-withdrawal taxes. A specialist attorney or financial planner typically drafts it for $500–$2,500. Missing a QDRO for a retirement account is a costly mistake that cannot always be corrected after the divorce is final.
- How is alimony calculated?
- There is no universal formula. Courts consider the income gap, length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, and standard of living during the marriage. As a rough guideline, some attorneys reference 20–35% of the income difference per year for a duration of roughly half the marriage length. This calculator uses that approximation; your state's formula may differ significantly.
- Can I get a divorce for less than $1,000?
- An uncontested divorce where both spouses agree on all terms — property division, support, and parenting — can be completed for as little as $500–$1,500 using court self-help centers, online legal services, or a single attorney doing an uncontested filing. The filing fee alone runs $150–$435 depending on the state.