How much does a divorce cost without a lawyer?
Emma Martin
Published Mar 18, 2026
How much does a divorce cost without a lawyer?
The median cost of a divorce is $7,500. An uncontested divorce or one with no major contested issues costs, on average, $4,100. Disputes over child support, child custody, and alimony raise the average cost of a divorce significantly. Divorces that go to trial on two or more issues cost, on average, $23,300.
Can I divorce my wife without her knowing?
The Court does not make it easy to divorce a spouse without their knowledge. If the other spouse refuses to sign those papers and/or fails to respond to the proceedings, it may be possible to obtain a default judgment soon after – undermining the refuser’s rights to spousal support, property and retirement benefits.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost?
Divorce lawyer cost:
| National hourly rate | $250/hour |
|---|---|
| Average range | $200-$250/hour |
| Low-end hourly rate | $175-$200/hour |
| High-end hourly rate | $300-$325/hour |
How much does LegalZoom divorce cost?
For $499, LegalZoom will prepare your divorce papers in your state-specific format and then provide instructions for you to file them yourself. In order to use the service, the divorce must be uncontested, with both spouses willing to sign the papers.
Should I tell my husband I filed for divorce?
Do I have to tell my spouse? No. Technically you can wait until your spouse is served with divorce papers, and have the papers do the telling. It may be considered bad form in most cases — except for abuse — not to have a conversation, however.
Can a wife get a divorce without her husband’s agreement?
Overview: It is not necessary that both the spouses have to agree to file for a divorce. One of them may file for a divorce without the others’ consent if they are sure that they have strong grounds for breakdown of the marriage.
Who gets alimony in a divorce?
When a couple legally separates or divorces, the court may order 1 spouse or domestic partner to pay the other a certain amount of support money each month. This is called “spousal support” for married couples and “partner support” in domestic partnerships. It is sometimes also called “alimony.”
How long does it take to get a divorce if both parties agree?
If you agree on your divorce and the reasons why, getting a divorce legally finalised will usually take 4 to 6 months. It might take longer if you need to sort out issues with money, property or children, which will have to be done separately.
Does it matter who initiates a divorce?
By filing first you are the plaintiff and she will be the defendant. At trial, if your divorce case goes that far, you would go first. In deciding when to file you don’t need to worry about a reason. This means the reason for the divorce doesn’t matter.
Is it better to be the first to file for divorce?
California is a no-fault divorce state, which means that it doesn’t really matter who files for divorce first. Since no one has to prove any “reason” for the divorce aside from “irreconcilable differences,” being the first to file for divorce doesn’t impact the divorce either way.
