Why is contested so much more expensive than uncontested?

Contested cases involve more attorney hours — discovery, multiple hearings, negotiation, and sometimes trial — while uncontested cases where both spouses already agree often wrap up with a single court appearance and minimal lawyer work.

Does the filing fee vary by state?

Yes — court filing fees for divorce commonly range from about $100 to $450 depending on the state and county; enter your local court's actual fee for an accurate total.

Is mediation cheaper than a fully litigated divorce?

Generally yes — mediation resolves disagreements outside court with a neutral third party, which typically reduces the attorney hours needed compared to litigating every disputed issue.

All tools

Finance

Divorce Cost Estimator

Total divorce cost from attorney hours, filing fees, and mediation — contested vs. uncontested.

🔒 Runs entirely in your browser — nothing here is ever uploaded

Remove ads →

Last reviewed 2026-08-31

About the Divorce Cost Estimator

Estimates the total dollar cost of getting divorced — attorney fees, court filing fees, and mediation — comparing an uncontested split against a contested one. It doesn't calculate alimony, child support, or how property or debts get divided; it's a cost estimate, not a settlement calculator.

100% Free Runs in Your Browser No Sign-Up Required

How to use it

Choose Uncontested or Contested as the case type.
Enter your attorney's hourly rate and the estimated hours the case will take.
Enter the court filing fee for your state/county.
Check 'Using a mediator' and enter a mediation cost if applicable.
Read the estimated total cost, with a breakdown, in the result panel.

Formula

Total cost = (attorney hourly rate × estimated hours) + court filing fee + mediation cost (if used).

Worked example

An uncontested divorce at $300/hr for 10 hours, plus a $300 filing fee, comes to $3,300 total. A contested divorce at $350/hr for 60 hours, plus a $300 filing fee and $1,500 in mediation, comes to $22,800.

Interpreting your result

Contested divorces cost dramatically more than uncontested ones because disputed issues mean more attorney hours, more hearings, and sometimes a trial. Actual costs vary widely by state, county, attorney experience, and how quickly both sides reach agreement.

Recommendations

• Mediation is far cheaper than litigation and often cuts total attorney hours substantially, even in cases with real disagreements.
• Ask your attorney for a written fee estimate range up front — hourly-billed cases can run well past initial estimates if disputes escalate.
• A flat-fee arrangement (common for simple uncontested cases) caps your cost regardless of hours actually worked.

Frequently asked questions

No — this only estimates the cost of the divorce process itself (attorney fees, filing fees, mediation). It never computes what either spouse is legally owed or entitled to.