If you’re planning a divorce in Los Angeles, the total price depends on the path you choose and how many issues you and your spouse can resolve up front. Below we break down Los Angeles divorce filing fee amounts, typical Los Angeles divorce attorney cost ranges, and what to expect for uncontested, contested, and mediation cases. You’ll also see how asset division and custody disputes change the budget—and how Divorce.com helps Angelenos keep costs predictable.

These are planning ranges. Individual matters can land below or above based on conflict, attorney strategy, and the number of issues in dispute.

Court Costs: Los Angeles Divorce Filing Fee

When you file a Petition and Summons for dissolution in California, you’ll pay a statewide civil filing fee typically in the $435–$450 range. Fee waivers are available for qualifying residents. The California Courts’ self-help guidance lists $435–$450 as the standard filing fee for divorce petitions (and similar for a Response). Self-Help Guide to the California Courts

Tip: LA Superior Court’s online fee info pages change structure often—use the statewide schedule and the California Courts Self-Help site as your source of truth, then confirm on LASC before filing. Los Angeles County Court

Attorney Pricing in LA (Los Angeles Divorce Attorney Cost)

Family-law hourly rates in Los Angeles commonly fall in the $350–$650+ per hour band, with retainers for contested cases often starting around $5,000–$10,000 and scaling with complexity. Recent legal-industry data also shows a broad upward trend in U.S. billing rates. Divorce Lawyer LA

Ways to control attorney spend:

• Resolve easy issues (who keeps the car, holiday schedule) before involving counsel.

• Use limited-scope representation for specific tasks (drafting a QDRO, one settlement meeting).

• Try mediation first, then bring in attorneys to finalize terms.

Choosing Your Path in LA

1) Uncontested (Fastest, Lowest Cost)

If you and your spouse already agree on property, support, and parenting terms, Los Angeles uncontested divorce cost can be as low as $500–$2,000 using an online service like Divorce.com, plus filing fees. Paperwork accuracy matters—mistakes cause delays—so use guided forms and checklists. (Court filing: $435–$450.) Self-Help Guide to the California Courts

Best for: Cooperative couples, simple assets, clear parenting plan.

How Divorce.com fits: Flat-fee prep, filing guidance, and optional attorney review—so you don’t pay open-ended hourly bills.

2) Mediation (Middle Ground)

In LA, divorce mediation typically lands between ~$3,500 and $10,000 in total, depending on mediator rates and the number of sessions. Hourly bands around $100–$300+ are common; some providers offer flat-fee packages. Mediation keeps decisions with the two of you—often cutting months of conflict and significant legal fees. Forester Family Law

Best for: You agree on most things, but need help solving a few sticking points (support, a specific asset, a holiday exchange).

How Divorce.com fits: Start online, add mediator, and only involve lawyers where targeted advice is needed.

3) Contested (Litigation)

If core issues remain disputed—business valuation, real estate equity, or parenting time—expect Los Angeles contested divorce cost to widen rapidly: many cases run $25,000–$75,000+, with high-asset matters going higher due to discovery, depositions, experts, and potential trial time. Divorce Lawyer LA

Best for: Complex assets and ongoing conflict.

How Divorce.com fits: Even litigated cases benefit from our tools: document gathering, proposal drafting, and structured negotiation can shorten the runway.

Asset Division: How Community Property Rules Drive Cost

California is a community property state—earnings and assets acquired during marriage are generally divided equally, while separate property is excluded. Untangling what’s community vs. separate (and by how much) adds time and expert fees. Expect potential appraisals (homes, collections), business valuations, and tracing analyses, which can add thousands to the Los Angeles asset division cost. Divorce.com

Common LA cost drivers for assets

• Real estate: Appraisals $500–$1,500+ per property; refinancing costs if one spouse keeps the home. Divorce Lawyer LA

• Businesses & professional practices: Valuations $5,000–$15,000+ depending on scope. Divorce Lawyer LA

• Retirement accounts: QDRO drafting/processing fees.

• Hidden asset concerns or breach of fiduciary duty can raise stakes and fees. The Law Offices of Alexandra R. McIntosh

Parenting & Support: Los Angeles Custody Dispute Cost

When parenting time, legal decision-making, or relocations are disputed, you may see:

• Additional mediation sessions

• Custody evaluations or recommendations

• Attorney preparation for hearings

Each layer increases Los Angeles custody dispute cost. Mediation with a child-focused framework often resolves schedules faster—and for less.

Budgeting Your LA Divorce (Sample Planning Ranges)

Divorce.com vs. Traditional Divorce in Los Angeles

Start online, add mediation (if needed), and invite an attorney for targeted tasks. That’s how LA couples reduce surprises and get to resolution faster.

FAQs

Is there a fee waiver for the Los Angeles divorce filing fee?
Yes. California offers fee waivers for qualifying households—check the California Courts Self-Help for eligibility and forms. Self-Help Guide to the California Courts

Do both spouses owe a filing fee?
The initial petition triggers the main filing fee; a formal Response also carries a filing fee in the same band.

What’s the cheapest way to divorce in LA?
If you can agree, an uncontested online process plus the filing fee is typically the lowest-cost route.

Will community property always be split 50/50?
California aims for equal division of community property, but classification (what’s community vs. separate) can be disputed and sometimes requires experts. Divorce.com

Next Steps

• Uncontested? Start your paperwork with Divorce.com (flat-fee).

• Some conflict? Add mediation to solve the last 10–20% of issues.

• Complex assets or parenting questions? Use our guided intake to identify where a limited-scope attorney or expert adds value—without committing to open-ended hourly bills.