Divorce Cost Estimator
Estimate the cost of a divorce by process route, hourly rate, hours worked and children involved.
What does the undefined do?
It estimates legal fees for a divorce or separation from the route you choose, the hourly rate, the hours worked and the number of children.
- Inputs: the process route, the lawyer hourly rate, the total hours and the number of children.
- Output: an estimated total cost with low, mid and high bands.
- Method: the hourly rate times hours times a route factor, plus an allowance per child.
Quick answer
A lawyer-negotiated divorce at 300 an hour for twenty hours comes to about 6,000 before child-related work. Mediation is roughly 40 percent of that and contested court can be two and a half times as much.
What This Calculator Really Does
Divorce costs swing enormously with how the parties separate. A mediated separation, where both sides settle directly with a neutral, is cheapest because lawyer time is minimal. A lawyer-negotiated settlement sits in the middle, and a contested court case is the most expensive because it adds hearings, discovery and heavy correspondence. This tool starts from an hourly rate and an estimate of hours, then applies a route factor so you can compare the three paths on the same footing. It also adds a per-child allowance, since parenting plans and custody work add correspondence and meetings. Every jurisdiction differs, and how cooperative the other side is often matters more than the law itself, so treat the figure as a planning range and get local quotes.
The formula it uses
Estimated cost = hourly rate x total hours x route factor + children x 500, where the route factor is 0.4 for mediation, 1.0 for lawyer negotiation and 2.5 for contested court.
Worked example with real numbers
A lawyer-negotiated divorce charged at 300 an hour for twenty hours costs 6,000. The same case through mediation at the same rate and hours costs about 2,400, while a contested court case costs about 15,000, before any child-related work.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the cheapest route is best, when a short sharp court case can be cheaper than long drawn-out negotiation.
- Forgetting the add-ons such as filing fees, court costs and valuations, which sit outside lawyer hours.
- Not asking for a fee estimate in writing before work starts.
Assumptions and limitations
The estimate covers legal fees only. Filing fees, expert valuations, mediation fees billed separately and disbursements are excluded, and the route factors are planning heuristics rather than fixed rules.
Disclaimer
This is an educational estimate, not legal or financial advice. Divorce costs depend on the law, the jurisdiction and the facts of each case, so obtain written quotes and independent advice before committing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the undefined calculated?
The hourly rate is multiplied by the hours worked and a route factor, then a per-child allowance is added. The steps panel shows each figure.
What do I need to use the undefined?
The process route, a lawyer hourly rate, an estimate of total hours and the number of children. Everything else is built in.
What does the result from the undefined show?
An estimated total cost with low, mid and high bands and the split between legal fees and child-related work.
Is mediation really cheaper than using lawyers?
Usually. In mediation the parties settle directly with a neutral, so lawyer hours are far lower, though each side may still take advice on the final agreement.
Can I get divorced without a lawyer at all?
Some jurisdictions allow it for simple, uncontested cases. Where assets, children or disputes are involved, a lawyer review is usually worth the cost to avoid a costly mistake.
Is the undefined really free?
Yes — 100 percent free, no sign-up, and everything runs in your browser.
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