How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?

Hourly rates for U.S. divorce attorneys typically fall between $250 and $500 in mid-sized markets, climbing to $600–$900 in major metros like New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Junior associates bill less; partners and certified family-law specialists bill more. Retainers — the up-front deposit the firm draws against — generally run $2,500 to $10,000.

Total cost depends almost entirely on whether the divorce is contested. An uncontested divorce, where both spouses agree on property, custody, and support, often resolves for $1,500–$3,500 in legal fees plus filing costs. A contested divorce with disputes over custody, business valuation, or alimony routinely runs $15,000–$30,000 per side, and bet-the-ranch trials with forensic accountants and custody evaluators can exceed $100,000.

Flat-fee divorces exist for the simplest cases — usually $500–$1,500 for an uncontested no-children, no-assets filing. Most firms quote hourly for anything more complex, because the unknown is how reasonable the other side will be. Ask any attorney for a written engagement letter that spells out hourly rate, retainer, billing increments, and what triggers additional retainer deposits.