A simple divorce, often called an uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all terms, typically costs between $200 and $2,000 in the United States, mainly covering court filing fees and minimal legal help. If done without a lawyer, costs can be as low as around $200 for court fees alone, while hiring basic legal help may bring the total to about $2,000. Online divorce services may charge between $150 and $800 for document preparation and filing assistance. Additional costs like mediation, if required, may add $500 to $1,500, but many uncontested divorces require no or minimal mediation. Filing fees can vary by state and some states impose a waiting period before the divorce is finalized. In general, simple divorces avoid the high costs of contested divorces, which start at around $10,000 and can run much higher if legal battles over assets or child custody occur.
To summarize typical simple divorce costs in the U.S.:
- Without lawyer: Around $200 (court fees)
- With basic legal help: Around $2,000
- Online divorce filing services: $150–$800
- Possible mediation: $500–$1,500 (if needed)
- State court filing fees: $100–$450 depending on the state
Thus, a straightforward simple divorce is often achievable under $2,000, making it the most affordable divorce option. For the UK, the average uncontested divorce costs between £850 and £2,000 including court fees, but this depends on whether a financial settlement or additional legal support is needed.
If more details about a specific state or country are needed, that can be explored further.
