How Much Does Divorce Cost in Raleigh, NC (2025) | Filing Fees & Attorney Rates

Understanding the cost of divorce in Raleigh helps you plan financially and make informed decisions during this life transition. From filing fees to attorney costs, knowing what to expect removes uncertainty during an already challenging time.

Raleigh Divorce Filing Fees

The filing fee for an absolute divorce in North Carolina is $225. Serving divorce papers costs an additional $30 if done by the sheriff's office or $7 if served by certified mail. If you wish to resume your maiden name, there's an additional $10 fee.

These fees apply across North Carolina, including Raleigh and Wake County. The filing fee covers all administrative costs of processing your divorce petition.

Fee Waiver Options

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can file a "Petition to Proceed as an Indigent" to request a fee waiver. Fee waivers are available to residents receiving SNAP, TANF, SSI, or Work First benefits. If approved, you won't pay the filing fee or service of process fees.

Average Attorney Costs in Raleigh

The average hourly rate for family law attorneys in North Carolina is $291 per hour. Attorney rates typically range from $100 to $400 per hour, with Raleigh attorneys generally charging higher rates than attorneys in smaller cities due to the metropolitan area's cost of living.

Retainer Fees

Most attorneys require an upfront retainer, typically ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 in North Carolina. This deposit secures your attorney's services, and they bill against it as work progresses on your case.

Total Divorce Costs by Type

Uncontested Divorce: $225 - $3,000

An uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all major issues generally costs $1,000 to $3,000 in attorney fees. For DIY divorces with minimal legal assistance, costs may be limited to the $225 filing fee plus document preparation services.

What's included:

• Filing fee ($225)

• Service of process ($7-$30)

• Basic legal document preparation

• Court processing

Simple DIY Divorce: $225 - $500

The cost of a self-represented absolute divorce in North Carolina is $225 to file the paperwork, plus an additional $40 in fees to serve documents and change your name. For couples handling their own paperwork, costs primarily consist of filing fees and minimal document preparation assistance.

Mediated Divorce: $3,000 - $10,000

Mediation fees typically range between $100 and $300 per hour, with total costs depending on the number of sessions required. Combined with limited attorney representation for document review and filing, mediated divorces typically cost $3,000 to $10,000.

Contested Divorce: $5,000 - $30,000+

The average cost of a divorce in North Carolina is approximately $13,100 for cases without children and $19,700 for divorces involving children. Contested divorces can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on the complexity and whether the case goes to trial.

Cases with no contested issues cost an average of $3,500 to $4,200. One disputed issue that settles before trial averages $5,100 to $6,200. Two disputes without trial cost $8,800 to $10,600. Going to trial on just one issue causes costs to skyrocket to $12,000 to $14,500.

High-conflict divorces may involve:

• Extended attorney hours at $100-$400/hour

• Discovery proceedings and depositions

• Multiple court hearings and motions

• Expert witnesses (appraisers, forensic accountants, therapists)

• Child custody evaluations

• Trial preparation and court appearances

What Affects Your Divorce Cost?

Complexity of Assets

Dividing straightforward assets like bank accounts and vehicles costs significantly less than splitting business interests, real estate portfolios, retirement accounts, or complex investments. If you believe your spouse is hiding assets, you will need to spend time and money to uncover them for fair consideration.

Child Custody and Support

Couples with children can expect to pay about $6,000 more to determine parenting plans and attend custody hearings with an attorney. North Carolina requires that parents participate in the Custody Mediation and Visitation Program in all cases involving child custody, including an orientation class and mediation session.

Level of Conflict

The number of outstanding issues and the intensity of the disputes surrounding those issues can dramatically impact the total cost of a divorce in NC. Every disagreement requires additional attorney time for negotiations, court filings, and hearings.

Length of Litigation

The more time your attorney spends on your case, the higher your bill. The amount of time the lawyer spends on your case will actually have a bigger effect on your total costs than their hourly rate.

North Carolina's One-Year Separation Requirement

North Carolina requires a one-year separation period before filing for absolute divorce. This means you and your spouse must live separately for at least one year before you can legally file for divorce.

There are some limited exceptions that may allow spouses to obtain a divorce before being separated for a full year, including cases involving domestic violence, abandonment, or marital misconduct such as adultery.

Ways to Reduce Divorce Costs in Raleigh

Choose uncontested or mediated divorce - If both parties are unable to reach an agreement during mediation, the case will proceed to trial, which will significantly increase costs. Starting with mediation or collaborative approaches saves money compared to immediate litigation.

Get organized before meeting your attorney - Gather financial documents, tax returns, asset lists, and debt information beforehand. The less time your attorney spends collecting information, the lower your bill.

Communicate efficiently - Use email for routine questions rather than calling for every update. Be concise and prepared for meetings.

Work out minor details privately - Try to agree on household item division and minor issues without court involvement. The cost of fighting often exceeds the items' actual value.

Be cooperative - The less cooperative your spouse is, the more difficult the case will become. This increases the likelihood of lengthy negotiations, multiple hearings, and significant discovery.

Consider limited scope representation - Hire an attorney for specific tasks rather than full representation to reduce overall costs.

Use online divorce services - For uncontested divorces, online services provide document preparation and filing guidance at a fraction of attorney costs.

Divorce.com: A Cost-Effective Alternative

Traditional divorce in Raleigh can easily cost $13,100-$30,000+ per spouse. Divorce.com offers a streamlined alternative that helps couples complete their divorce for significantly less.

Benefits of Divorce.com:

• Transparent, upfront pricing with no hourly billing

• Comprehensive online platform accessible 24/7

• Professional mediation support to resolve disagreements peacefully

• Case managers to guide you through the process

• We file documents with the court on your behalf

• Compliant with all North Carolina and Wake County requirements

• Receive divorce paperwork in as little as 2 business days

Divorce.com reduces the time, cost, and trauma typically associated with divorce while ensuring all legal requirements are properly met.

Timeline for Raleigh Divorces

Once filed, a North Carolina divorce can sometimes be completed in a matter of months or even weeks after the mandatory one-year separation period has ended. Uncontested divorces typically finalize quickly once the separation requirement is met.

Contested divorces can take significantly longer, often 12-18 months or more beyond the separation period, depending on the complexity of issues and court scheduling.

Additional Divorce Expenses to Consider

Beyond attorney fees and filing costs, budget for:

• Service of process - Sheriff service ($30) or certified mail ($7)

• Name change fee - Additional $10 if resuming maiden name

• Court costs - Additional fees for motions, hearings, and trials

• Custody mediation - Required for all cases involving children

• Expert services - Appraisers, accountants, therapists, and custody evaluators

• Certified copies - Court-certified copies of your divorce decree

• Separation expenses - Maintaining two households during the one-year separation period

• Moving and housing costs - Deposits, furniture, and establishing separate residences

North Carolina Divorce Requirements

To file for divorce, called "absolute divorce" in North Carolina, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months before you file.

North Carolina is a "no-fault" divorce state. You won't have to go through the expense and stress of proving that your spouse engaged in some kind of misconduct that caused the marriage to fail.

Property Division in North Carolina

North Carolina is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property is divided in a manner the court considers fair, though not necessarily equal. The court considers factors including marriage length, each spouse's financial situation, and contributions to the marriage when dividing assets.

Do You Need a Divorce Attorney?

You aren't required to hire a lawyer to get a divorce in North Carolina. However, professional legal representation is strongly recommended if:

• You and your spouse cannot agree on custody, support, or property division

• Significant assets or complex property division is involved

• There's a history of domestic violence or substance abuse

• You suspect your spouse is hiding assets

• You're unsure about legal procedures or your rights

• Business interests or professional practices need valuation

Family law is complicated and nuanced. On your own, it's incredibly easy to give up essential rights that can be expensive—even impossible—to reverse.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Raleigh?

The filing fee for an absolute divorce in North Carolina is $225. Service of process costs an additional $30 (sheriff) or $7 (certified mail). If you want to resume your maiden name, add $10. You may qualify for a fee waiver if you receive public benefits or meet income requirements.

What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Raleigh?

The most affordable option is an uncontested divorce where both spouses agree on all terms. Using an online service like Divorce.com instead of hiring individual attorneys can reduce total costs from $13,100+ to just a few thousand dollars while ensuring proper legal compliance.

How long does a divorce take in Raleigh, NC?

North Carolina requires a one-year separation period before you can file for absolute divorce. Once filed, uncontested divorces can finalize in a matter of months or even weeks. Contested divorces take 12-18 months or longer beyond the separation period depending on complexity and court scheduling.

Can I get a free divorce in Raleigh?

While divorce isn't completely free, you can file a "Petition to Proceed as an Indigent" to request a fee waiver if you receive SNAP, TANF, SSI, or Work First benefits, or if you cannot afford the filing fee. Fee waivers cover court filing fees but not attorney costs.

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Raleigh?

North Carolina law doesn't require an attorney for divorce. However, legal representation is recommended for contested divorces, complex asset division, or cases involving children or domestic violence. Services like Divorce.com provide guidance and mediation support without traditional attorney costs.

How much do divorce attorneys charge in Raleigh?

Raleigh divorce attorneys typically charge $100 to $400 per hour, with an average around $291 per hour. Retainer fees usually range from $2,000 to $5,000 upfront. Total attorney costs average $13,100 for standard divorces but can exceed $30,000 for highly contested cases.

What is the one-year separation requirement in North Carolina?

North Carolina requires spouses to live separately for at least one year before filing for absolute divorce. Limited exceptions exist for cases involving domestic violence, abandonment, or adultery. Once the one-year period ends, you can file for divorce.

Does it cost more to get divorced with children in North Carolina?

Yes, divorces involving children cost significantly more due to parenting plan development, custody mediation (required by law), child support calculations, and custody hearings. Average costs with children are around $19,700 compared to $13,100 without children, plus an additional $6,000 for parenting plan and custody work.

How can I reduce my divorce costs in Raleigh?

Choose mediation over litigation, organize documents before meeting attorneys, communicate efficiently via email, work out minor details privately, be cooperative with your spouse, consider limited scope representation, use online divorce services for uncontested cases, and apply for fee waivers if eligible.

Is North Carolina a 50/50 divorce state?

No, North Carolina is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. The court divides marital property in a manner it considers fair based on various factors, which may not result in a 50/50 split. Factors include marriage length, each spouse's economic circumstances, and contributions to the marriage.

Ready to start your divorce with transparent pricing and professional support? Divorce.com provides everything you need to complete your Raleigh divorce efficiently and affordably. Get started today and take control of your divorce process.