Divorce is a deeply emotional life transition, but it's also an intricate legal process - one that can come with a hefty bill, financially and emotionally.
While the emotional consequences can be hard to quantify, the financial cost of divorce can quickly add up and is often far greater than most people expect. The price you ultimately pay is not only determined by legal fees and court filings, but also by many factors and unknown costs that impact your overall bill. This could include how often you speak with your attorney (if you have one), how many experts are involved, the amount of assets and debt, whether or not there are children, whether or not either party wants spousal maintenance and/or child support, and what the parties can agree on.
We’ll break down the average cost of a divorce in the US, as well as the factors you need to consider that will influence the price you pay for the process.
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The average cost of divorce in the US
Forbes estimates that, in 2025, the average cost of a divorce in the US is between $15,000 and $20,000.
The final bill you face for divorce consists of a range of different fees, including:
The cost of retaining a divorce lawyer
Court filing fee
Additional services - for example, mediation, forensic accountancy, custody evaluations, and real estate appraisers.
If you are pursuing an uncontested divorce, your overall bill will typically be on the lower end, as it’s unlikely that you will require additional services, particularly mediation. This is why splitup is so helpful. You get insight into moving forward without attorney and psychological costs.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost?
According to ConsumerShield, the average hourly rate charged by lawyers in the US in 2024 was around $300, but fees can range between $195 to $462. This represents the average cost of all types of lawyers, and can be used as a rough estimate when anticipating divorce lawyer fees, though you should also know that some family law attorneys in larger cities charge over $1,000 per hour.
Further, the average cost of retaining a divorce lawyer varies for a multitude of reasons, including your location, the lawyer’s level of qualification, and the complexity of your case.
Fixed fees
In an attempt to make the divorce process more predictable, some lawyers offer flat-fee divorce packages. These typically only apply to uncontested divorces - cases where no court appearances are needed and both spouses agree on all major decisions upfront.
Fixed fees can offer peace of mind for those approaching a divorce on a tight budget. However, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution to divorce. If your case becomes more complicated as a result of unforeseen challenges or if your spouse becomes combative, you may end up requiring more comprehensive legal representation anyway.
Therefore, it’s best to think of fixed fees as a starting point, not a guaranteed bill.
Factors affecting the cost of divorce
These price insights can help indicate the average cost of divorce-related practicalities, but the average cost is shaped by more than just your choice of representation.
Every divorce case is unique, and several key factors can have a significant impact on your final bill and, indeed, your financial burden for years to come.
Complexity
A simple divorce between two spouses who have no children and no shared assets can be resolved relatively quickly and inexpensively, as there are far fewer decisions to be made than in cases involving these factors.
However, most divorces aren’t that simple, as once shared bank accounts, retirement funds, debts, and children enter the equation, the case becomes much more intricate.
Complex divorces often require specialist services, including forensic accountants, real estate appraisers, and financial planners, each adding layers of complexity to your divorce process and, with them, extra bills.
Custody battles
Custody battles are one of the most emotionally taxing parts of a divorce, particularly where both parents are fighting for majority custody.
The legal battle over parenting time, visitation schedules, which spouse has decision-making authority, and child support can add months, or even years, to the overall divorce process. Due to the lengthy nature of custody battles and the possibility of custody evaluator costs, this factor can significantly impact the overall cost of divorce.
Division of assets
Marital property division is rarely straightforward, with all significant assets needing to be decided on. In the case of retirement savings, accounts may need to be divided through special court orders, which can lead to higher bills, and real estate may need to be appraised, which also comes at a cost.
When it comes to homes, it’s not just a case of selling the property and splitting the earnings. Family homes are more than just real estate; they are symbols of a marriage and are often inextricably tied to the memories of raising children. Oftentimes there are disagreements over the division of the funds due to whose money was used for the down payment and who made payments post service of divorce petition.
Negotiations over what to do with shared property can drag on, with legal costs adding up as a result.
Appeals
While it's relatively uncommon for a divorce to end in an appeal, it can happen in cases where one spouse believes the judge made a legal error.
Appeals involve a separate legal process and can be extremely costly, as well as emotionally draining.
The hidden costs of divorce
The amount you are billed by your lawyer and mediator is only one part of the financial picture of divorce. The entire process comes with costs that can have long-term effects, and not all of these are immediately apparent when budgeting for a divorce.
Lost income
Living on a single income post-divorce can be a major adjustment, particularly if there are children involved. This is true whether you are taking on the majority of childcare duties or not.
Moreover, it's not just a case of needing to stretch budgets - you also need to consider that your hours at work may need to change to accommodate increased childcare responsibilities. For example, if your custody agreement is a week on and a week off, you now need to arrange childcare for the entire week you are on, rather than splitting responsibilities with your partner.
This can affect your working hours, leading to more time off or reduced working time, and ultimately causing you to lose some of your income.
Splitup has videos to help you get through these significant changes.
Real estate changes
Selling the marital home is common during divorce.
While it can provide a clean emotional slate, selling your property also introduces new financial burdens. There may be capital gains taxes, moving costs, or the need to find and furnish new housing.
Therapy
Divorce is emotionally taxing for you and for your children. Many individuals and families turn to therapy to help them cope with the stress of the divorce and the transition to a new way of living.
Therapy may be mandated by the court, particularly if there are children involved, but even if it's not, it’s often one of the best and most important investments you can make when going through a divorce. However, it can come at a cost, with SimplePractice reporting that, in 2024, therapy costs $139 per session, on average.
Again, this is one area where splitup can help minimize costs. Although splitup does not offer therapy, The splitup app does provide videos to help people get through the emotional part of the divorce.
How much does a divorce cost without a lawyer?
If you choose to pursue a divorce without the assistance of a lawyer, known as a pro se divorce, the overall cost of your divorce will be dramatically lower.
This is because it’s highly likely that, if pursuing your divorce alone, your divorce is uncontested, and you therefore won’t need to pay for services such as mediation.
A DIY divorce should not be taken lightly, as family law remains complex, even if you and your spouse both support the decision. It’s important that you fully understand the paperwork so that you don’t make mistakes that could cost you time and money.
The Splitup app offers guidance on all things surrounding family law so that you can approach your divorce confidently and in a well-informed manner.
Conclusion
Divorce can come at a high price, both financially and emotionally. The amount you pay depends on the complexity of your situation, the professionals you hire, and the choices you and your spouse make along the way.
If you’re considering divorce, the best approach is to educate yourself early, thinking carefully about the emotional and financial toll each option carries. A thoughtful, informed strategy won’t eliminate the financial cost of divorce, but it may help you to mitigate the emotional one.
Sources
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/how-much-does-divorce-cost/
https://www.consumershield.com/articles/how-much-lawyer-cost-per-hour
