How much does a divorce cost?

An uncontested divorce costs $500-$5,000. A contested divorce averages $15,000-$30,000 per spouse but can exceed $100,000 with custody disputes or complex assets. Mediated divorces typically cost $5,000-$10,000 total. The main cost driver is attorney fees at $250-$500/hour.

How are assets divided in a divorce?

In the 41 'equitable distribution' states, assets are divided fairly but not necessarily equally, based on factors like income, length of marriage, and contributions. In the 9 community property states (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI), marital assets are generally split 50/50.

Is it cheaper to get divorced or stay married?

Financially, divorce is expensive—both the process itself and the long-term impact. Two households cost 25-40% more than one. However, staying in an unhappy marriage also has financial costs (stress, health impacts, potential for worse financial decisions). The best financial approach to divorce is mediation or collaboration, which minimizes legal fees.

Cost of Divorce in America: The Complete Financial Guide (2026)

Divorce is one of the most expensive life events. Beyond legal fees, it means splitting assets, running two households, and potentially paying alimony or child support. Here’s the full financial picture.

Divorce Costs by Type

Type of Divorce	Total Cost (Both Spouses)	Timeline
DIY/Online divorce (uncontested, no kids)	$500-$2,000	1-3 months
Mediated divorce	$5,000-$10,000	3-6 months
Collaborative divorce	$10,000-$30,000	4-9 months
Contested divorce (no trial)	$20,000-$50,000	6-18 months
Contested divorce (with trial)	$50,000-$200,000+	1-3 years

Cost Breakdown

Expense	Typical Cost
Attorney fees ($250-$500/hour)	$5,000-$50,000+ per spouse
Mediator	$3,000-$8,000
Court filing fees	$200-$500
Process server	$50-$100
Financial advisor/CDFA	$2,000-$5,000
Real estate appraisal	$300-$600
Retirement account QDRO	$500-$2,000
Child custody evaluation	$3,000-$10,000
Moving costs	$1,000-$5,000
New housing deposit	$2,000-$5,000

How Assets Are Divided

Community Property States (50/50 Split)

Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin.

Asset	How It’s Typically Split
Marital home	Sold and split 50/50, or one spouse buys out the other
Retirement accounts (401k, IRA)	50/50 split of amount earned during marriage
Bank accounts	50/50 split of marital funds
Investment accounts	50/50 split of marital investments
Debt	50/50 responsibility for marital debt

Equitable Distribution States (41 States + DC)

Division based on fairness, considering:

Length of marriage
Each spouse’s income and earning potential
Contributions to the marriage (including homemaking)
Age and health
Child custody arrangements

Long-Term Financial Impact

Running Two Households

Expense	One Household	Two Households	Increase
Rent/Mortgage	$2,000	$3,200	+60%
Utilities	$300	$450	+50%
Groceries	$800	$1,000	+25%
Insurance (auto, health)	$600	$900	+50%
Total monthly	$3,700	$5,550	+50%

Two households typically cost 25-50% more than one.

Alimony (Spousal Support)

Factor	How It Affects Alimony
Length of marriage	Longer = more likely and for a longer duration
Income disparity	Greater gap = higher payments
Standard of living	Court aims to maintain pre-divorce standard
Age and health	Older/unhealthy spouse may receive more
Typical duration	Short marriages: 1-3 years; Long marriages: may be indefinite

Rough Alimony Guidelines

Marriage Length	Typical Alimony Duration
Under 5 years	0-2 years
5-10 years	2-5 years
10-20 years	5-10 years
20+ years	10 years to indefinite

How to Reduce Divorce Costs

Strategy	Potential Savings
Mediation instead of litigation	$10,000-$50,000+
Agree on major issues before hiring lawyers	$5,000-$20,000
Use a CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst)	Helps avoid costly asset division mistakes
Limit communication through attorneys	At $300-$500/hour, every email costs money
Consider collaborative divorce	Structured process, lower cost than court
File jointly for the last tax year if possible	May save thousands in taxes
Don’t fight over low-value items	Legal fees to fight over furniture exceed its value

The Bottom Line

An uncontested or mediated divorce ($5,000-$10,000) costs a fraction of a contested one ($50,000-$200,000). The biggest financial impacts are long-term: running two households costs 25-50% more, and retirement savings may be cut in half. If divorce is inevitable, mediation is almost always the most cost-effective path. Hire a financial advisor or CDFA in addition to (or even before) an attorney—understanding the financial picture can prevent costly mistakes that last decades.