The Cheapest Way to Get Divorced in 2025
Divorce doesn't have to cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you and your spouse can cooperate, you may be able to divorce for under $500 — sometimes even less. Here are your options from cheapest to most expensive.
Option 1: Pro Se (DIY) Divorce — $100–$500
Filing "pro se" means representing yourself without an attorney. This is the cheapest option and works well when:
How to do it:
1. Download divorce forms from your county court's website (free)
2. Complete the petition and financial disclosures
3. File with the court clerk and pay the filing fee
4. Serve your spouse (they can sign a waiver of service in most states)
5. Wait out any mandatory waiting period
6. Attend a brief final hearing (many states make this optional for uncontested cases)
Total cost: Filing fee ($80–$435 depending on state) + optional notarization ($10–$25).
Option 2: Online Divorce Services — $150–$500
Online divorce services don't represent you legally — they prepare your paperwork based on your answers to a questionnaire. Good options include services that:
Best for: Uncontested divorces where you want guidance filling out forms but don't need legal advice.
Avoid if: You have custody disputes, significant assets, domestic violence concerns, or complex financial situations.
Option 3: Mediation — $2,000–$7,000
If you and your spouse agree on most issues but need help with a few sticking points, mediation is far cheaper than litigation. A neutral mediator helps you negotiate and reach agreement.
Why it's cost-effective:
Community mediation centers offer sliding-scale fees based on income, sometimes as low as $100–$300 for the entire process.
Option 4: Unbundled Legal Services — $500–$3,000
Instead of hiring a full-service attorney, you handle most of the process yourself and hire an attorney only for specific tasks:
This gives you professional guidance where it matters most without paying for full representation.
State-by-State Cheapest Divorce Options
The filing fee alone determines your minimum cost. Here are the cheapest and most expensive states:
Cheapest filing fees:
Most expensive filing fees:
Fee Waivers: How to File for Free
Almost every state allows low-income individuals to waive filing fees. You typically qualify if:
How to apply: Ask the court clerk for a fee waiver application (often called "In Forma Pauperis" or "Affidavit of Indigency"). Submit it with your divorce petition.
Tips to Keep Costs Down
1. Agree before you file — have the hard conversations about assets, custody, and support before involving the court
2. Do your own financial inventory — gather all documents yourself rather than paying an attorney to do it
3. Use free tools — our divorce cost calculator and asset division calculator help you understand your situation before spending on professionals
4. Avoid unnecessary motions — every court filing costs time and money
5. Don't use your attorney as a therapist — $350/hour is expensive therapy; find a real therapist for $100–$200/session
When Cheap Isn't Worth It
Going the cheapest route isn't always wise. Hire an attorney if:
A poorly drafted settlement agreement can cost you far more in the long run than hiring an attorney upfront.
Calculate Your Options
Use our divorce cost calculator to compare costs for contested vs uncontested divorce in your state, and see how much you could save.