How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Saint Paul, MN? (2025 Guide)

You're sitting in your car outside the Lunds & Byerlys on Grand Avenue at midnight, scrolling through divorce costs. Here's what you need to know: Saint Paul has one of the highest filing fees in America ($400), but reasonable lawyer rates and no waiting period.

If you can agree with your spouse, you can be divorced in weeks. The filing fee is expensive, but the overall process is faster than most states.

Let me break down what you'll actually pay in Minnesota's capital.

What You're Looking At

Do it yourself: $435-$550 (filing $400 + service $35-$150)

Divorce.com: $899-$2,399 (service included)

Mediation: $1,500-$4,500 per person

Contested with lawyers: $7,000-$18,000 per person

High-conflict: $25,000-$60,000+ per person

Most Saint Paul divorces with lawyers cost $10,000-$15,000 per person. That's moderate—higher than smaller Midwest cities, but less than coastal cities.

If you agree on everything, you can do this for under $1,200 total.

Real Saint Paul Divorces

The state employee: Tom and Sarah, married 6 years, no kids, both worked for state government, renting in Mac-Groveland. Used Divorce.com, agreed on everything. Total: $750 each. Done in 5 weeks (Minnesota has no waiting period!).

The typical one: Mike and Jennifer, married 12 years, two kids, owned house in Highland Park worth $485,000. Both professionals. Hired lawyers to negotiate custody and property. Mike paid $13,200. Jennifer paid $11,800. Settled in 9 months.

The expensive one: David owned a medical practice. Lisa wanted half. They fought over the practice, the Summit Avenue house ($725,000), retirement accounts, custody. David spent $54,000. Lisa spent $47,000. Plus $18,000 for experts. Took 19 months.

That last one is what happens when you fight about everything in Saint Paul.

The Costs Everyone Pays

Ramsey County Filing Fee: $400

One of the highest in the country. This is expensive. Only one spouse pays it to open the case.

Pay at Ramsey County Courthouse downtown. They take cash, checks, money orders, cards.

Can't afford it? File Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP) showing you can't afford it. Court might waive the entire fee.

Getting Your Spouse Served: $35-$150

Minnesota requires official service.

• Sheriff service: $35-$50 (reliable, takes 1-2 weeks)

• Private process server: $75-$150 (faster, more flexible)

• Certified mail: $8 (only if spouse cooperates and signs)

Most use Ramsey County Sheriff ($35-$50). It's reliable and reasonably priced.

No Waiting Period

Minnesota has NO mandatory waiting period. Once filed, if you both agree and have paperwork ready, you can finalize in weeks. One of the fastest states.

Most simple divorces: 4-8 weeks if uncontested. Contested: 6-15 months.

DIY Divorce: $435-$550

Total: $435-$550. The high filing fee makes DIY more expensive than most states, but still way cheaper than lawyers.

About 35% who start DIY in Ramsey County finish without help. Lower than some places due to complexity.

DIY works when you agree on everything, both cooperate, straightforward situation. Doesn't work when spouse disagrees, business ownership, complex assets, or domestic violence.

Most spend 15-20 hours. Minnesota's equitable distribution requires fair division.

Time: 4-8 weeks for simple uncontested.

Divorce.com: $899-$2,399

Total: $899-$2,399 (includes Divorce.com $499-$1,999, filing $400, service $35-$150).

You still have to agree. This just helps with Minnesota paperwork.

Mediation: $1,500-$4,500 Per Person

Saint Paul mediators charge $150-$300/hour.

Most couples need 10-15 hours. Average: $1,500-$4,500 each.

Smart combo: Mediate ($1,500-$4,500), pay lawyer 3 hours ($675-$1,125) to review. Total: $2,175-$5,625 per person.

Hiring a Lawyer

Uncontested With Lawyer: $2,000-$4,500

Flat fee: $2,000-$4,500 total.

Contested Divorce: $7,000-$18,000 Per Person

Saint Paul lawyers: $225-$375/hour

• Newer: $225-$275/hour

• Experienced: $275-$325/hour

• Top specialists: $325-$375/hour

Retainer: $3,500-$7,500 upfront.

Average: 35-65 hours. Most settle $10,000-$15,000 per person.

High-Conflict: $25,000-$60,000+ Per Person

Real costs:

• Custody battle: $22,000-$42,000 per person

• Business owner: $25,000-$50,000 per person

• Hidden assets: $30,000-$55,000 per person

Additional Costs

Custody evaluator: $3,000-$12,000 split Guardian ad Litem: $3,000-$10,000 split Business valuation: $5,000-$20,000 Forensic accountant: $6,000-$25,000 Home appraisal: $450-$650 QDRO: $500-$1,800 Therapy: $100-$180/session in Saint Paul

Minnesota Equitable Distribution

Minnesota uses equitable distribution. Property gets divided fairly—not necessarily 50/50.

Court considers contributions, economic circumstances, marriage length, age, health, earning capacity.

Spousal Maintenance in Saint Paul

Minnesota uses "spousal maintenance" not alimony. Court considers:

• Marriage length

• Standard of living

• Age and health

• Earning capacity

• Contributions to spouse's career/education

How much? No strict formula. Typically 25-35% of income gap for moderate marriages.

How long? Related to marriage length.

Child Support

Minnesota has guidelines. Use Minnesota's online calculator. You can't waive child support.

How Long Does It Take?

Uncontested: 4-8 weeks (NO waiting period!) Contested: 6-15 months High-conflict: 15-24 months

Real Talk: What Most People Pay

Amicable, no kids: $500-$1,200 (DIY or Divorce.com) Amicable with kids and house: $2,000-$4,500 (uncontested lawyer) Some disagreements: $5,000-$10,000 per person (mediation/early settlement) Significant disputes: $10,000-$18,000 per person (contested with settlement) High-conflict: $25,000-$55,000+ per person

Median Saint Paul divorce probably costs $10,000-$14,000 per person. Moderate for metro area.

The Bottom Line

Divorce in Saint Paul costs $435 (DIY) to $55,000+ (high-conflict) per person.

High filing fee ($400) but no waiting period. Reasonable lawyer rates. Faster than most states.

Compromise where you can. You'll get through this.