According to the Institute For Family Studies, the rate of divorce is at its lowest in 50 years, with 14.9 of every 1,000 marriages in the US ending in divorce and the average marriage length increasing from 19 years in 2010 to 19.8 years in 2019. However, despite these signs that divorces are decreasing, more than 746,000 divorces were still filed across the US, costing those involved not just their marriages and relationships but thousands of dollars in fees and, in many cases, debt. This leaves many needing to manage personal finances, credit, and debt, let alone embark on a new life.
Key Findings
- The average cost of a divorce in the US is $19,458 per couple.
- On average, the person filing for divorce will pay $9,969, with the other party paying $9,729 in legal fees.
- Children increase the cost of divorce by an average of 36.7% ($7,232) nationally, costing the average couple a combined fee of $26,930 in legal divorce costs.
- A childless divorce costs $2,066 (10.5%) less than the national average, costing $17,631 between both parties.
- California has the highest average cost of a divorce, costing the party filing the divorce $14,435.
- Montana has the lowest divorce costs in the US, costing just $6,170 on average for filing the divorce.
Mapping the Cost of Divorce in the US
The cost of divorce varies significantly by state. The table below shows the average per person court and legal fee costs by state:
California: The average cost for a divorce in California is $14,435. This cost increases significantly to $19,639 if children are involved.
New York: In New York, the average cost for a divorce is $13,835, and it rises to $18,853 with children.
Texas: The average cost for a divorce in Texas is $12,792. With children, this cost increases to $17,456.
Connecticut: In Connecticut, the average divorce cost is $12,360, increasing to $16,820 when children are involved.
New Jersey: The average cost for a divorce in New Jersey is $12,300, and it goes up to $16,760 with children.
Massachusetts: In Massachusetts, the average cost for a divorce is $12,200, rising to $16,660 if children are involved.
Delaware: The average cost for a divorce in Delaware is $12,165, increasing to $16,625 with children.
Virginia: In Virginia, the average cost for a divorce is $11,584, and it rises to $15,858 with children.
Georgia: The average cost for a divorce in Georgia is $11,400, increasing to $15,488 if children are involved.
Colorado: In Colorado, the average cost for a divorce is $11,230, rising to $15,318 with children.
Pennsylvania: The average cost for a divorce in Pennsylvania is $11,202, and it increases to $15,290 with children.
Maryland: In Maryland, the average cost for a divorce is $11,165, rising to $15,253 if children are involved.
Utah: The average cost for a divorce in Utah is $10,725, increasing to $14,590 with children.
Florida: In Florida, the average cost for a divorce is $10,409, rising to $14,126 if children are involved.
Alabama: The average cost for a divorce in Alabama is $10,400, and it increases to $14,117 with children.
Puerto Rico: The average cost for a divorce in Puerto Rico is $10,400, increasing to $14,117 with children.
Rhode Island: The average cost for a divorce in Rhode Island is $10,400, rising to $14,117 if children are involved.
Illinois: The average cost for a divorce in Illinois is $10,334, and it increases to $14,051 with children.
Washington: In Washington, the average cost for a divorce is $10,314, rising to $14,031 with children.
Oregon: The average cost for a divorce in Oregon is $10,301, increasing to $14,018 with children.
Alaska: In Alaska, the average cost for a divorce is $10,288, rising to $14,042 if children are involved.
Arizona: The average cost for a divorce in Arizona is $10,280, increasing to $13,997 with children.
Nevada: The average cost for a divorce in Nevada is $10,258, and it rises to $14,016 with children.
Michigan: In Michigan, the average cost for a divorce is $10,215, increasing to $13,972 with children.
Louisiana: The average cost for a divorce in Louisiana is $10,200, rising to $13,917 if children are involved.
Missouri: The average cost for a divorce in Missouri is $10,184, increasing to $13,950 with children.
South Carolina: The average cost for a divorce in South Carolina is $10,150, and it rises to $13,867 with children.
North Carolina: In North Carolina, the average cost for a divorce is $10,113, increasing to $13,867 with children.
District of Columbia (D.C.): The average cost for a divorce in D.C. is $10,080, rising to $13,797 if children are involved.
Tennessee: The average cost for a divorce in Tennessee is $9,722, increasing to $13,290 with children.
New Hampshire: In New Hampshire, the average cost for a divorce is $9,400, rising to $12,745 with children.
Minnesota: The average cost for a divorce in Minnesota is $9,365, increasing to $12,710 with children.
Ohio: In Ohio, the average cost for a divorce is $9,350, rising to $12,695 with children.
Hawaii: The average cost for a divorce in Hawaii is $9,240, increasing to $12,610 with children.
Iowa: In Iowa, the average cost for a divorce is $9,184, rising to $12,529 with children.
Oklahoma: The average cost for a divorce in Oklahoma is $9,183, increasing to $12,528 with children.
Indiana: In Indiana, the average cost for a divorce is $9,157, rising to $12,502 with children.
Vermont: The average cost for a divorce in Vermont is $9,090, increasing to $12,435 with children.
Wyoming: The average cost for a divorce in Wyoming is $9,085, rising to $12,430 with children.
Wisconsin: In Wisconsin, the average cost for a divorce is $8,690, increasing to $11,854 with children.
South Dakota: The average cost for a divorce in South Dakota is $8,595, rising to $11,754 with children.
Kansas: In Kansas, the average cost for a divorce is $8,400, rising to $11,373 with children.
Mississippi: The average cost for a divorce in Mississippi is $8,400, increasing to $11,373 with children.
Idaho: The average cost for a divorce in Idaho is $8,181, rising to $11,180 with children.
Arkansas: In Arkansas, the average cost for a divorce is $8,165, increasing to $11,138 with children.
Nebraska: The average cost for a divorce in Nebraska is $8,158, rising to $11,131 with children.
Kentucky: In Kentucky, the average cost for a divorce is $8,151, increasing to $11,124 with children.
West Virginia: The average cost for a divorce in West Virginia is $8,134, rising to $11,107 with children.
Maine: The average cost for a divorce in Maine is $8,120, increasing to $11,093 with children.
North Dakota: The average cost for a divorce in North Dakota is $8,080, rising to $11,053 with children.
New Mexico: The average cost for a divorce in New Mexico is $6,637, increasing to $9,053 with children.
Montana: Montana is the least expensive state for a divorce, with an average cost of $6,170. This cost increases to $8,400 if children are involved.
National Averages
Across the United States, the average cost of a divorce is $19,458 per couple. On average, the person filing for divorce pays $9,969, while the other party pays $9,729. The presence of children significantly increases these costs, with an average additional expense of $7,232, bringing the total to $26,930 for couples with children. In contrast, childless divorces cost $17,631 on average, which is $2,066 less than the national average.
The Most Expensive States to File for Divorce
California is the most expensive state for filing for divorce, with the average (legally represented) divorce costing $14,435, rising to an average of $19,639 if those involved have children or other dependents. Close behind California, New York is the second most expensive state to get a divorce. The average divorcee needs to spend $13,835 in court fees and lawyer costs; this figure increases by an average of 36% if children are involved in the relationship.
Five Most Expensive States to Get Divorced:
- California: $14,435 ($19,639 with kids)
- New York: $13,835 ($18,853 with kids)
- Texas: $12,792 ($17,456 with kids)
- Connecticut: $12,360 ($16,820 with kids)
- New Jersey: $12,300 ($16,760 with kids)
The Least Expensive States to Get a Divorce
Montana is the cheapest state for divorces, costing just $6,170 in fees and legal representation. This is $3,799 less than the national average and $8,265 less than the most expensive state, California. The second cheapest state for getting divorced in the US is New Mexico, where the average divorce costs $6,637, rising to $9,053 if children are involved.
Five Least Expensive States to Get Divorced:
- Montana: $6,170 ($8,400 with kids)
- New Mexico: $6,637 ($9,053 with kids)
- North Dakota: $8,080 ($11,053 with kids)
- Maine: $8,120 ($11,093 with kids)
- West Virginia: $8,134 ($11,107 with kids)
Managing Debt During a Divorce
Managing your debt during a divorce can take on a whole new level of complexity. While divorce itself isn’t going to ruin your credit because marital status doesn’t show up on your credit report, the divorce process can impact your finances and ability to keep up with payments and other bills.
Many married couples accumulate various types of debt during the relationship, often in the form of credit cards and loans. Unfortunately, this debt is often left unresolved when the relationship ends, leaving one party liable for the debt. This can create a financial burden, even when only one person is responsible for the debt.
Tips to Manage Debt During a Divorce
- Understand your financial situation: Know your financial situation and make sure you understand the debt you and your partner have.
- Communicate with your ex-spouse: Communicate with your ex-partner about your debt situation and try to come to a resolution.
- Seek professional help: Speak to a financial advisor to help you manage your debt and come up with a plan.
- Keep up with payments: Make sure to keep up with your payments and try to avoid accumulating more debt.
- Protect your credit: Protect your credit by monitoring your credit report and ensuring your ex-spouse isn’t racking up debt in your name.
- Close joint accounts: Close joint accounts to prevent your ex-partner from racking up more debt in your name.
- Create a budget: Create a budget to help you manage your finances and make sure you can keep up with your payments.
- Prioritize debt: Prioritize your debt and pay off high-interest debt first to avoid accumulating more interest.
- Get a lawyer: Hire a lawyer to help you navigate the legal process and ensure your debt is managed fairly.
Conclusion
Divorce can be a costly and stressful process, with the average cost of a divorce in the US being $19,458 per couple. The cost of divorce varies significantly by state, with California being the most expensive state and Montana being the least expensive. Managing debt during a divorce is essential to avoid financial hardship and protect your credit. By understanding your financial situation, communicating with your ex-partner, and seeking professional help, you can manage your debt and move forward with your life.
This content can be shared with your audience on California Business Broker (CBB) to provide valuable information on the cost of divorce and managing debt during the process.
