Calculators
Divorce Cost Estimator
Estimate divorce legal costs from case complexity, attorney hours and rate, court fees, mediation and expert costs.
- Runs in your browser
- Nothing uploaded
The tool
Enter your numbers below. Results update as you type, and nothing leaves your browser.
Everything you enter stays on your own machine. Nothing is sent to us or to anyone else, which you can confirm in your browser network tab.
What people use it for
- Budgeting for a divorce
- Deciding between mediation and litigation
- Comparing lawyer quotes
- Planning finances during separation
About this tool
What the Divorce Cost Estimator does
Divorce costs depend mostly on how much the spouses agree. An uncontested divorce needs relatively few attorney hours; a fully litigated case with custody disputes and experts can need hundreds. This estimator uses typical hour ranges by case type, which you can adjust.
It also works as a divorce attorney cost estimator.
Formula
- Attorney fees = estimated hours × hourly rate
- Total = attorney fees + filing fees + mediation + experts
- Range = 70% to 150% of the attorney estimate
Worked example
Using the starting values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Case type | Mediated or negotiated (about 40 hours) |
| Attorney hourly rate | $325 |
| Court filing fees | $400 |
| Mediation costs (your share) | $2,500 |
| Joint experts (valuations, custody evaluation) | $0.00 |
| Your share of joint expert costs | 50% |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated total cost | $15,900 |
| Attorney fees | $13,000 |
| Attorney fees, lower range | $9,100 |
| Attorney fees, higher range | $19,500 |
How to read the result
Agreeing on as much as possible before involving lawyers, or using mediation, is the most effective way to reduce costs.
Custody disputes and complex assets such as businesses or pensions drive the largest cost increases.
General information only, not legal advice. Laws and court practice vary by jurisdiction; consult a qualified lawyer.
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Questions
Questions about this tool
The things clients actually want to know — costs, timelines, ownership and what happens after launch.
From modest amounts for a simple uncontested divorce to tens of thousands for litigated cases.
Usually much cheaper than litigation when both parties can negotiate in good faith.
Usually each spouse pays their own, though courts can order contributions in some situations.
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