How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Bakersfield, CA?

Bakersfield divorce lawyers charge $250-$450 per hour. Downtown lawyers near courthouse charge $350-$450/hour, Northwest Bakersfield lawyers charge $300-$400/hour, Southwest or East Bakersfield lawyers charge $250-$350/hour. Upfront retainer: $3,500-$10,000. Total costs: uncontested $4,000-$12,000, contested $12,000-$45,000 per person, high-conflict $50,000-$120,000+.

Do I need a divorce lawyer in Bakersfield or can I do it myself?

Need lawyer if: children with custody disagreements, own house/property in Seven Oaks/Stockdale/West Bakersfield, oil industry income or royalties, agricultural property, significant income disparity, spouse hired lawyer, don't trust spouse, or domestic violence. Might not need if: genuinely agree on everything, no kids or simple custody, straightforward assets, can communicate.

How long does divorce take in Bakersfield?

California requires 6-month minimum waiting period from service. Uncontested divorces in Bakersfield take 8-12 months from filing to final judgment at Kern County Superior Court. Contested divorces take 12-24+ months.

What should I look for in a Bakersfield divorce lawyer?

Look for: (1) Kern County family law experience, (2) Specialization in oil industry or agricultural assets if relevant, (3) Clear communication style, (4) Transparent billing, (5) Settlement approach matching your situation, (6) Responsiveness. Schedule consultations with 3+ lawyers.

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"The Most Trusted

Name in Online Divorce"

Exclusive

Online Divorce Partner

Best

Online Divorce Service

ADVISOR

We offer an online guided path through divorce that helps couples avoid unnecessary conflict and costs.

Start your divorce

See if this is right for me

Written By:

Liz Pharo

CEO and Founder, Divorce.com

Finding a Divorce Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA: What You Need to Know

You're Googling "Bakersfield divorce lawyer" at your desk hoping nobody sees. Or you're in your car at Costco on Wible Road trying to figure out if you need to spend $20,000 on a lawyer.

Bakersfield divorce lawyers aren't cheap. But not every divorce needs a $450/hour attorney.

Do You Even Need a Lawyer?

You probably need a lawyer if: Kids and can't agree on custody. Own house in Seven Oaks, Stockdale, Seven Oaks. Oil industry income. Agricultural property. Big income gap. Spouse hired a lawyer. Don't trust your spouse. Domestic violence.

Might not need if: Both agree on everything. No kids or simple custody. Straightforward assets. Can talk without fighting.

What Lawyers Cost in Bakersfield

Hourly rates: $250-$450

Downtown near courthouse: $350-$450. Northwest Bakersfield: $300-$400. Southwest/East Bakersfield: $250-$350.

Retainer upfront: $3,500-$10,000.

What divorces cost: Uncontested with lawyer: $4,000-$12,000 Contested: $12,000-$45,000 per person High-conflict: $50,000-$120,000+ per person

Bakersfield Divorce Lawyer Directory

Downtown Bakersfield

Bakersfield Family Law Center - Downtown - $375-$450/hour - Oil industry divorces, complex property Truxtun Avenue Attorneys - Downtown - $350-$425/hour - Contested divorces, trial experience Kern County Family Law - Near courthouse - $350-$450/hour - Full-service family law

Northwest Bakersfield

Northwest Bakersfield Family Law - Northwest - $325-$400/hour - Seven Oaks families, property division Stockdale Divorce Lawyers - Stockdale area - $300-$375/hour - Agricultural property specialists

Southwest Bakersfield

Southwest Bakersfield Attorneys - Southwest - $275-$350/hour - Affordable rates, payment plans Rosedale Family Law - Rosedale area - $300-$375/hour - Settlement-focused

East Bakersfield

East Bakersfield Family Law - East Bakersfield - $250-$325/hour - Reasonable rates Ming Avenue Divorce Lawyers - Ming Ave area - $275-$350/hour - Working families

Specialized Services

Kern County Mediation Services - Multiple locations - $200-$350/hour (split) - Settlement without court California Collaborative Law - Bakersfield area - Varies - Non-adversarial approach Oil Industry Divorce Specialists - Multiple locations - $375-$450/hour - Royalties, business valuation Legal Services of Kern County - Bakersfield - Free for qualifying low-income

The Bottom Line

Not every Bakersfield divorce needs a $450/hour lawyer. But some do.

If you genuinely agree, Divorce.com or mediation saves tens of thousands.

Meet with lawyers even if you think you don't need one.

Bakersfield Divorce Lawyers

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We're here to guide you through every step of divorce — whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step. Our blog offers expert insights, practical tips, and real-life stories to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

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The Ultimate Guide to Getting Started in Your Divorce
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10 Things to Know Before Starting Your Divorce
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Divorce Process with Divorce.com
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Real Answers. Real Support.

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Featured Article
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Started in Your Divorce
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Featured Article
10 Things to Know Before Starting Your Divorce
Read more
Featured Article
Divorce Process with Divorce.com
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Upfront pricing at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce

Divorce doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.

Traditional Divorce

$25-$30k

Divorce.com

$499

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Upfront pricing at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce

Divorce doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.

Traditional Divorce

$25-$30k

Divorce.com

$499

$1,999

Get started

Our Services

Paperwork Only
Basic access to divorce paperwork where you handle the rigorous filing process with the court.
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We File For You
Our most popular package includes a dedicated case manager, automated court filing, spouse signature collection, and personalized documentation.
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Fully Guided
Complete divorce support including mediation sessions, dedicated case management, court filing, and personalized documentation.
Get started

Our Services

Paperwork Only
Basic access to divorce paperwork where you handle the rigorous filing process with the court.
Get started
POPULAR
We File For You
Our most popular package includes a dedicated case manager, automated court filing, spouse signature collection, and personalized documentation.
Get started
Fully Guided
Complete divorce support including mediation sessions, dedicated case management, court filing, and personalized documentation.
Get started

We've helped with

over 1 million divorces

We provide everything you need to get divorced — from conflict resolution to filing support and access to divorce experts — in one comprehensive, convenient online platform.

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The team at divorce.com was responsive and helpful during a difficult process. I would highly recommend the site for uncomplicated, amicable divorces!!
Jen B.
I came across this online. So I checked on it. It was easy and affordable. I wish I would have found this years ago.
Brandy D.
I was able to read it easily. Thanks God for this service. I will recommend it to anyone who asks this is a very easy step to do. I love it please try it you won't be disappointed
Dianna R.
Great customer service. Questions were easy to answer and had descriptions to understand the questions.
Andelain R.

Proudly featured in these publications

We've helped with

over 1 million divorces

We provide everything you need to get divorced — from conflict resolution to filing support and access to divorce experts — in one comprehensive, convenient online platform.

Get started

The team at divorce.com was responsive and helpful during a difficult process. I would highly recommend the site for uncomplicated, amicable divorces!!
Jen B.
I came across this online. So I checked on it. It was easy and affordable. I wish I would have found this years ago.
Brandy D.
I was able to read it easily. Thanks God for this service. I will recommend it to anyone who asks this is a very easy step to do. I love it please try it you won't be disappointed
Dianna R.
Great customer service. Questions were easy to answer and had descriptions to understand the questions.
Andelain R.

Proudly featured in these publications

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Mission

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We offer a simple divorce online for uncontested or lightly contested divorces.

"The Most Trusted

Name in Online Divorce"

Exclusive

Online Divorce Partner

Best

Online Divorce Service

ADVISOR

We offer a guided path through divorce that helps avoid unnecessary conflict and costs.

Start your divorce

See if this is right for me

Written By:

Liz Pharo

CEO and Founder, Divorce.com

Bakersfield Divorce Lawyers

Finding a Divorce Lawyer in Bakersfield, CA: What You Need to Know

You're Googling "Bakersfield divorce lawyer" at your desk hoping nobody sees. Or you're in your car at Costco on Wible Road trying to figure out if you need to spend $20,000 on a lawyer.

Bakersfield divorce lawyers aren't cheap. But not every divorce needs a $450/hour attorney.

Do You Even Need a Lawyer?

Might not need if: Both agree on everything. No kids or simple custody. Straightforward assets. Can talk without fighting.

What Lawyers Cost in Bakersfield

Hourly rates: $250-$450

Downtown near courthouse: $350-$450. Northwest Bakersfield: $300-$400. Southwest/East Bakersfield: $250-$350.

Retainer upfront: $3,500-$10,000.

What divorces cost: Uncontested with lawyer: $4,000-$12,000 Contested: $12,000-$45,000 per person High-conflict: $50,000-$120,000+ per person