How Much Will My Divorce Cost?

How much will your divorce cost? Like most things in divorce, it depends.

Let me start with this somewhat hard to digest baseline truth as you move through the divorce process:

You can influence the costs in your divorce, but you cannot control them.

Divorce is not only a unique personal journey, but it is also a unique financial one. As a divorce coach, I’ve seen wide ranges in actual costs. While there are many things you can do to save money in divorce, there is one thing you cannot do — dictate what your spouse will do. It is your spouse’s unpredictability in terms of their fear, their need for justice, and their process independent of you that will swing your divorce financial pendulum in ways you may not anticipate.

This baseline truth does not mean you cannot make a significant impact on the bottom line costs of your divorce. In fact, I hope that it may compel you to consider even more thoughtfully how you can influence them as your divorce unfolds.

Process Cost Implications

The process of divorce you choose — do-it-yourself (DIY), mediation, collaborative, or litigated - is the most known element of your divorce costs you can influence. DIY and mediation costs are typically lower than collaborative or litigated divorces. It is challenging to put numbers to the exact cost, but reports in the last six months have shown DIY costs ranging around $1,000 to $1,500. Mediation costs have ranged from $4,000 to $8,000. Collaborative divorce costs have ranged from $7,000 to $50,000 and litigated divorces from $15,000 to $100,000. These are quite variable ranges and will skew greatly depending on your circumstances.

Legal Fees

Litigated divorces, where both parties hire attorneys, often incur substantial legal fees, with attorneys charging average hourly rates that have ranged recently in 2024 surveys between $250 and $550 per hour. The adversarial nature of litigation can lead to prolonged court battles, escalating costs significantly. In contrast, mediated divorces generally result in lower legal fees, as a neutral mediator guides you towards resolution without the need for extensive court involvement. Even with the cost savings, mediation is not a universally realistic path for all divorces. If litigation feels necessary due to the complexity of your financial situation or for other reasons, you will find yourself paying for the much needed protection and guidance provided by your attorney.

Asset Division

The division of assets is a critical financial aspect of divorce. Litigated divorces may involve appraisals, negotiations, and court proceedings, leading to higher overall costs. Mediation and collaborative divorce can offer a more cost-effective solution, allowing couples to collaboratively decide on the distribution of assets, potentially minimizing financial strain. However, the complexity of your financial situation may not allow for comfort in a mediated divorce.

Time Investment

Time is money, and litigated divorces often take longer due to court schedules and legal processes. Prolonged legal battles can result in increased attorney fees, expert costs, and overall litigation expenses. Mediation often streamlines that approach and can reduce the time and associated financial investment required for divorce. Collaborative divorces rely on the coordinated schedules of more professionals which can impact timing of the process.

Post-Divorce Financial Stability

The financial aftermath of divorce is a real thing. Litigated divorces, with their higher costs, may leave individuals in a financially strained situation post-divorce. In contrast, mediated divorces, with their more cost-effective nature, may provide a better foundation for financial stability, allowing individuals to move forward with fewer economic repercussions. Collaborative divorces also tend to be more transparent about how each party will fare going forward. That being said, if you find yourself needing the protection and guidance of an attorney for your case, that investment may pay off for you in terms of of more financially advantageous settlement.

Tax Implications

Tax considerations are an integral part of the financial landscape of divorce. All divorce processes will require you to keep an eye on tax-efficient and tax-equivalent solutions that take into account the true value of assets distributed.

As I said in my introduction, you can influence your divorce costs, but you cannot control them. Your spouse’s experience will shape the costs, and to the extent that you can influence your spouse, you can enjoy considerable control.

My Recommendation

Start with developing a divorce budget, and then test whether your spouse is capable of a joint discussion about that. If they are, this is the best place to start from. If they are not, your choice about which process to use is usually your more influential choice for saving costs in divorce.

My divorce coaching will help you save money and time and manage your divorce costs as you move through the process. Book a time on my calendar here to get started.

About the Author:
Hi, I’m Andrea, a divorce coach, author, and speaker. I’m the creator of the Divorce Differently with H.E.A.R.T. model, and I can work with you to create a healthier divorce and life (even when your partner is difficult) while also saving you loads of time and money. My clients walk through divorce with a better understanding of the process, clearer expectations, defined boundaries, and useful hacks to make this most unwanted situation doable. I can teach you how to do it too! Let’s talk.