A divorce costs $150 to $23,300 per person in 2026
A divorce costs $150 to $23,300 per person in 2026. SoFi puts the median at $7,500 and the average at $12,900 when a lawyer handles the whole case. An online divorce can start at $150, says SoFi. Money Crashers lists court fights over two or more issues at $23,300. Children, money fights, and time in court push the bill up fast.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| SoFi | SoFi says the median divorce costs $7,500 and the average is $12,900, online divorce starts at $150, and lawyer fees run $260 to $450 an hour. |
| Money Crashers | Money Crashers lists uncontested divorces at $4,100, court disputes at $20,379 for one issue and $23,300 for two or more, and filing fees of $85 to $435 (from a 2019 survey). |
| Debt.com | Debt.com lists about $13,000 on average with a full service lawyer, a $7,500 median, lawyer fees of $150 to $400 or more an hour, and mediation at $3,000 to $8,000. |
Divorce costs by type
| Type | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median, lawyer handles the whole case | $7,500 | SoFi |
| Average, lawyer handles the whole case | $12,900 | SoFi |
| Online divorce service | From $150 | SoFi |
| Uncontested divorce, average | $4,100 | Money Crashers |
| Mediation with a non-lawyer, per case | $3,000 to $8,000 | SoFi |
| Court dispute, one issue | $20,379 | Money Crashers |
| Court dispute, two or more issues | $23,300 | Money Crashers |
| Lawyer, by the hour | $150 to $400 or more | Debt.com |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fighting or agreeing | An uncontested divorce costs far less than a court fight. Money Crashers lists $4,100 uncontested on average and $23,300 for court disputes over two or more issues. |
| Lawyer rates | Hourly fees add up with every call and filing. SoFi lists hourly fees of $260 to $450, and says some lawyers charge $500 or more per hour. |
| Children | Custody and support add work and sometimes experts. Money Crashers lists $15,500 per person with children. SoFi says a county custody evaluation can cost $2,000 to $5,000. |
| Alimony | Fights over spousal support take more time. Money Crashers lists an average of $15,900 per person with alimony and $7,800 without it. |
| Way you split | Mediation and online services cost less than full court. SoFi lists non-lawyer mediators at $3,000 to $8,000 per case and online divorce from $150. |
What the price includes
A full service lawyer fee usually covers advice, the court forms, talks with the other side, and going to court if needed. Court filing fees are extra, and Money Crashers lists them at $85 in Wyoming to $435 in California. Home appraisals, custody evaluations, and expert fees cost more on top. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Most people pay a divorce lawyer. Many lawyers ask for a retainer first, which is a down payment that the lawyer bills against. SoFi says retainers start at $7,000 as of 2026, while Debt.com, citing LegalZoom, lists $2,500 to $5,000. After that, the lawyer bills by the hour. Some lawyers offer a flat fee for simple cases. Mediators bill by the hour or by the case, online services charge a set price, and the court charges its own filing fee. Each person usually pays their own lawyer, so the prices here are per person.
When you need this
Divorce is the legal way to end a marriage. You need it when you and your spouse decide to part and want the right to marry again. A court must sign the final order. You may also need it to split property, set child support, and decide custody. Talk to a lawyer early if you have children, a home, or a business.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the fee is flat or hourly, and how big the retainer is.
- Ask how much the lawyer bills for calls and emails.
- Ask which costs are extra, such as filing fees and experts.
- Ask what you can do yourself to cut paid hours.
- Compare the total with the range above: $150 to $23,300 per person for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Try mediation first. SoFi lists non-lawyer mediators at $3,000 to $8,000 per case, which is often far under the cost of a long court fight.
- Use an online divorce service for a simple case with no children or fights. SoFi says these can start at $150, plus the court filing fee.
- Agree on as much as you can before you hire a lawyer. Every issue you settle yourself saves paid hours at $260 to $450 an hour, per SoFi.
- Pay for advice only. Money Crashers lists $4,600 as the average for people who used a lawyer to advise them and not to run the whole case.
- Ask about a flat fee for a simple case. A set price means the bill does not grow with every phone call and email.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from SoFi, Money Crashers and Debt.com. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does an average divorce cost?
SoFi says the median is $7,500 and the average is $12,900 when a lawyer handles the case. Debt.com lists about $13,000 for full service.
How much does an uncontested divorce cost?
Money Crashers lists $4,100 on average. SoFi says an online divorce can start at $150 and rise to a few thousand dollars.
How much does a divorce lawyer charge per hour?
SoFi lists $260 to $450 an hour. Debt.com lists $150 to $400 or more, citing LegalZoom.
How much does divorce mediation cost?
SoFi says non-lawyer mediators charge $3,000 to $8,000 per case. Debt.com lists $100 to $350 an hour for a mediator.
What are the court filing fees for divorce?
Money Crashers says filing fees run from $85 in Wyoming to $435 in California. Your state sets the exact fee.