How much does divorce cost in california is one of the first questions people ask when considering divorce. The honest answer is: it depends enormously on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, how complex the assets are, and whether custody is disputed.
Court Filing Fees — Divorce Fees California
The basic divorce fees california courts charge: approximately $435–$450 to file the Petition for Dissolution. The respondent pays the same to file a Response. If you qualify based on income, you can request a fee waiver (FW-001) and have these costs waived. Court costs for a simple uncontested divorce total approximately $900 in filing fees between both parties.
Attorney Fees — The Bigger Variable
How much does divorce cost in california when you have an attorney? For a simple uncontested divorce where both parties agree on everything, a flat-fee attorney service may cost $1,500–$3,000. For a contested divorce involving property disputes, the average attorney fee ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 per side. For high-asset divorces with business valuations, real estate appraisals, forensic accountants, and child custody evaluations, total costs can exceed $100,000 per side. How much does divorce cost in california also depends on whether experts are needed — a 730 custody evaluation alone costs $5,000–$15,000. Furubotten Law, APC provides transparent fee structures and handles both simple and complex divorces throughout Orange County and Riverside County. Call (714) 795-3862 for a complimentary case evaluation.