How Much Does Divorce Cost? From Uncontested to Contested

Divorce is both emotionally and financially draining. The average American divorce costs $7,000-$15,000, but your actual cost depends enormously on whether it's contested or uncontested and how complex your assets are.

Uncontested divorce (you agree on everything): $500-$2,500 total. This includes court filing fees ($100-$400), document preparation ($200-$500), and minimal attorney review ($200-$1,500). Online services like LegalZoom charge $500-$1,500.

Mediated divorce (you negotiate with a neutral mediator): $3,000-$8,000. A mediator costs $200-$500/hour and most divorces settle in 3-10 sessions. Each spouse may still want an attorney to review the final agreement ($500-$2,000 each).

Contested divorce (disagreements requiring litigation): $10,000-$50,000+ per spouse. Attorney fees alone average $250-$500/hour. Discovery, depositions, expert witnesses, and trial preparation drive costs up quickly.

Major cost factors: child custody disputes ($5,000-$25,000 additional), complex asset division ($3,000-$15,000 for forensic accountants), business valuation ($5,000-$20,000), and real estate appraisals ($300-$500).

Attorney retainers typically range from $2,500-$10,000. This is an upfront deposit against hourly billing. Complex cases may require multiple retainer replenishments. Ask for monthly billing statements to track spending.

Hidden costs people forget: changing health insurance ($200-$800/month more), refinancing the house ($2,000-$5,000 in closing costs), new housing deposits ($3,000-$6,000), therapy ($100-$250/session), and updating estate documents ($500-$2,000).

Collaborative divorce is a middle option ($5,000-$15,000 per spouse). Each spouse has an attorney, but everyone commits to settling without court. If collaboration fails, you must hire new attorneys for litigation.

Ways to reduce costs: agree on as much as possible before hiring attorneys, use a mediator before litigating, keep communication businesslike and out of court, organize financial documents early, and avoid using your attorney as a therapist.

The most expensive word in divorce is 'principle.' Fighting over a $2,000 dining set can cost $5,000 in legal fees. Focus on major assets (house, retirement accounts, custody) and compromise on everything else.