What drives the cost of a divorce?
The single biggest factor is conflict. An uncontested divorce — where you and your spouse agree on the major terms — can cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. A contested divorce that goes to court can run $15,000 to $30,000 or more per spouse, because every disputed issue adds attorney hours.
How you handle it matters just as much. Doing it yourself is the cheapest path but puts the work on you. Mediation typically costs a few thousand dollars total and often saves 50–70% versus litigation. Hiring attorneys offers the most support but is the most expensive, with rates commonly $250–$450 per hour and retainers of several thousand dollars up front.
Children and complex assets push costs up. Custody disputes alone can add thousands in legal fees, and untangling a home, a business, or retirement accounts often requires extra professional help. Court filing fees — usually $100 to $450 depending on your state — are a small but unavoidable baseline.
How to keep your divorce costs down
The people who spend the least are usually the most prepared: they gather their financial documents early, agree on as much as possible before involving the court, communicate efficiently, and avoid unnecessary motions. Being organized walking into your first attorney meeting can save real money in billable hours — which is exactly what Reroot is built to help you do.