Written by NotALawyer Legal AI · Reviewed by External Legal AI · Published April 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 26, 2026
Divorce costs swing wildly: a few thousand dollars for an uncontested split, tens of thousands for a contested custody fight. The big lever is how much you and your spouse disagree. Here's what drives the bill and how to keep it down.
Most divorce lawyers bill $200-$500 an hour, and a contested case takes 20-40+ hours. When both spouses agree on everything, an uncontested divorce can run as little as $1,500-$3,000.
Custody disputes, business valuations, hidden assets, and interstate issues all eat hours. The more you fight over, the higher the bill climbs.
Most lawyers take an upfront retainer ($2,500-$10,000) and bill hourly against it. Get a detailed fee agreement and know what's covered before you sign.
Settling through a mediator instead of fighting in court often costs a fraction as much. Mediators typically charge $100-$300 an hour, and the spouses split the fee.
Court filing fees ($100-$450), process server fees, and document prep add up in every case. Some lawyers bundle these into a flat-fee uncontested divorce package.
More on this topic: the Family hub
NotALawyer.com provides general legal information, not legal advice.