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

Orange divorce lawyers charge $350-$600 per hour. Old Towne or near Plaza charge $450-$600/hour, East Orange or Chapman area charge $400-$550/hour, North Orange or Villa Park charge $350-$475/hour. Upfront retainer: $5,000-$15,000. Total costs: uncontested $4,000-$12,000, contested $15,000-$60,000 per person, high-conflict $60,000-$150,000+.

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

Need lawyer if: children with custody disagreements, own house in Old Towne (worth $800k-$1.5M) or other Orange homes ($700k-$1M), business ownership, 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. DIY costs $505-$635. Divorce.com costs $934-$2,434 (includes filing and service).

How long does divorce take in Orange?

California requires 6-month minimum waiting period from service. Uncontested divorces in Orange take 7-9 months from filing to final decree at Orange County Superior Court. Contested divorces take 12-24+ months.

What should I look for in an Orange divorce lawyer?

Look for: (1) Orange County Superior Court experience, (2) California community property expertise (50/50 split), (3) Understanding of spousal support (CA term), (4) Clear communication style, (5) Transparent billing, (6) Settlement approach matching your situation, (7) Responsiveness. Schedule consultations with 3+ lawyers.

"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

"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 Orange, CA: What You Need to Know

You're Googling "Orange divorce lawyer" at your desk hoping nobody sees. Or you're in your car at the Plaza trying to figure out if you need to spend $25,000 on a lawyer.

Orange divorce lawyers aren't cheap. But not every divorce needs a $600/hour attorney.

Do You Even Need a Lawyer?

You probably need a lawyer if: Kids and can't agree on custody. Own house in Old Towne. Business ownership. 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. Divorce.com can handle everything for $934-$2,434 including filing and service.

What Lawyers Cost in Orange

Hourly rates: $350-$600 Old Towne/Plaza: $450-$600. East Orange/Chapman: $400-$550. Other areas: $350-$500. Retainer upfront: $5,000-$15,000.

What divorces cost: Uncontested with lawyer: $4,000-$12,000 Contested: $15,000-$60,000 per person High-conflict: $60,000-$150,000+ per person

Orange Divorce Lawyer Directory

Old Towne Orange

Old Towne Family Law Center - Old Towne - $500-$600/hour - Complex property, high-asset Plaza Square Attorneys - Old Towne - $450-$550/hour - Contested divorces, trial experience Chapman Avenue Family Law - Old Towne - $450-$550/hour - Full-service family law

East Orange / Chapman Area

East Orange Family Law Group - East Orange - $425-$525/hour - Property division specialists Chapman University Area Divorce Lawyers - Chapman - $400-$500/hour - Custody specialists

North Orange / Villa Park

North Orange Family Law - North Orange - $375-$475/hour - Working families Villa Park Divorce Lawyers - Villa Park - $350-$450/hour - Affordable rates

South Orange / El Modena

South Orange Family Law Center - South Orange - $375-$475/hour - Comprehensive services El Modena Divorce Lawyers - El Modena - $350-$450/hour - Settlement-focused

Anaheim / Santa Ana (nearby)

Anaheim Family Law - Anaheim - $375-$500/hour - Orange County coverage Santa Ana Divorce Lawyers - Santa Ana - $350-$475/hour - Courthouse proximity

Specialized Services

Orange Mediation Services - Multiple locations - $200-$400/hour (split) - Settlement without court California Collaborative Divorce - Orange area - Varies - Non-adversarial approach Legal Aid Society of Orange County - Orange - Free for qualifying low-income

The Bottom Line

Not every Orange divorce needs a $600/hour lawyer. But some do.

If you genuinely agree, Divorce.com ($934-$2,434 including filing and service) or mediation saves tens of thousands.

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

Orange Divorce Lawyers

Real Answers. Real Support.

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.

Read the blog

Featured Article
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Started in Your Divorce
Read more
Featured Article
10 Things to Know Before Starting Your Divorce
Read more
Featured Article
Divorce Process with Divorce.com
Read more

Real Answers. Real Support.

Read the blog

Featured Article
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Started in Your Divorce
Read more
Featured Article
10 Things to Know Before Starting Your Divorce
Read more
Featured Article
Divorce Process with Divorce.com
Read more

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

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.
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

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.

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

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

Why Divorce.com

Mission

Services

Resources

State Divorce Guide

Get Started

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

Orange Divorce Lawyers

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

You're Googling "Orange divorce lawyer" at your desk hoping nobody sees. Or you're in your car at the Plaza trying to figure out if you need to spend $25,000 on a lawyer.

Orange divorce lawyers aren't cheap. But not every divorce needs a $600/hour attorney.

Do You Even Need a Lawyer?

You probably need a lawyer if: Kids and can't agree on custody. Own house in Old Towne. Business ownership. Big income gap. Spouse hired a lawyer. Don't trust your spouse. Domestic violence.

What Lawyers Cost in Orange

Hourly rates: $350-$600 Old Towne/Plaza: $450-$600. East Orange/Chapman: $400-$550. Other areas: $350-$500. Retainer upfront: $5,000-$15,000.

What divorces cost: Uncontested with lawyer: $4,000-$12,000 Contested: $15,000-$60,000 per person High-conflict: $60,000-$150,000+ per person