Divorce Cost Breakdown
Divorce costs vary dramatically by method. Mediated divorces cost $3,000–$12,000 total, collaborative divorces $10,000–$35,000, and contested litigation $10,000–$60,000+ per spouse. The primary driver is attorney time — at $250–$500/hour, every disputed issue adds thousands to the bill.
Filing fees range from $100 to $435 by state. QDROs for retirement account division cost $500–$2,000 each. Property appraisals run $300–$600. Business valuations, if needed, cost $5,000–$30,000. The most cost-effective approach is to resolve as many issues as possible through negotiation or mediation before involving attorneys.