How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Simi Valley, CA? (2025 Guide)

You're sitting in your car outside the Trader Joe's on Cochran Street at midnight, scrolling through divorce costs. Here's what you need to know: Simi Valley is expensive. You're in Ventura County, not LA County, but you're dealing with upper-middle-class suburban pricing.

The bad news? California's 6-month mandatory waiting period. Even if you both agree, you can't finalize for at least 6 months. The good news? If you work together, you can do this for under $1,500 total.

Let me break down what you'll actually pay.

What You're Looking At

Do it yourself: $475-$600 (filing $435-$450 + service $40-$150)

Divorce.com: $934-$2,449 (service included)

Mediation: $2,000-$6,000 per person

Contested with lawyers: $15,000-$35,000 per person

High-conflict: $40,000-$120,000+ per person

Most Simi Valley divorces with lawyers cost $18,000-$30,000 per person. That's very expensive but typical for affluent suburban SoCal communities.

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

Real Simi Valley Divorces

The cooperative one: Mark and Jennifer, married 6 years, no kids, renting near Simi Valley Town Center. Used Divorce.com, agreed on everything. Total: $717 each. Done in 7 months (California's 6-month wait plus processing).

The typical one: David and Sarah, married 13 years, two kids, owned house in Wood Ranch worth $985,000. Hired lawyers to negotiate custody and property. David paid $26,500. Sarah paid $24,200. Settled in 12 months.

The expensive one: Michael owned a medical practice. Lisa wanted half. They fought over the practice, the Wood Ranch house ($1.2M), retirement accounts, custody of three kids. Michael spent $102,000. Lisa spent $86,000. Plus $35,000 for experts. Took 24 months.

That last one is what happens when you fight about everything in an expensive California suburb.

The Costs Everyone Pays

Ventura County Filing Fee: $435-$450

One of the highest in the country. One spouse pays this to open the case.

Pay online, by mail, or in person at Ventura County Superior Court - Simi Valley Courthouse. They take cash, checks, money orders, cards.

Can't afford it? File Fee Waiver (form FW-001) showing household income below limits. Court might waive entire fee.

Getting Your Spouse Served: $40-$150

California requires official service.

• Sheriff service: $40-$50 (cheapest, reliable, takes 1-2 weeks)

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

• Certified mail: Won't work in California (state requires personal service or sheriff)

Most use sheriff ($40-$50).

The 6-Month Wait

California requires 6-month mandatory waiting period from date of service (not filing). Even if you both agree immediately, you cannot finalize until 6 months after your spouse is served.

Plan on 7-10 months total for simple divorce.

DIY Divorce: $475-$600

If you agree on everything, you can handle it yourself. Total: $475-$600.

About 30% of people who start DIY in Ventura County finish without help. The rest get stuck.

DIY works when you agree on everything, both willing to cooperate, straightforward situation.

Doesn't work when spouse disagrees, you own business, complex assets, domestic violence, or hiding money.

Most spend 15-25 hours on DIY. Community property is straightforward (50/50), but valuation takes work.

Time: 7-10 months minimum.

Divorce.com: $934-$2,449

Middle ground. You answer questions online, they generate your California forms.

Total: $934-$2,449 (includes Divorce.com service $499-$1,999, Ventura County filing $435-$450, service $40-$150).

You still have to agree on everything. This just helps with paperwork.

Mediation: $2,000-$6,000 Per Person

Hire neutral mediator. Simi Valley mediators charge $300-$400/hour.

Most couples need:

• Simple case: 5-8 hours = $1,500-$3,200 per person

• Standard case: 10-15 hours = $3,000-$6,000 per person

• Complex case: 15-20 hours = $4,500-$8,000 per person

Average: $2,000-$6,000 each.

Smart combo: Mediate ($2,000-$6,000), then pay lawyer 2 hours ($600-$1,000) to review. Total: $2,600-$7,000 per person. Cheaper than full representation.

Hiring a Lawyer: Where It Gets Expensive

Uncontested With Lawyer: $3,500-$7,000

Some lawyers handle uncontested divorces for flat fee. Cost: $3,500-$7,000 total.

If you truly agree, Divorce.com ($934-$2,449) or DIY ($475-$600) makes more sense.

Contested Divorce: $15,000-$35,000 Per Person

Most Simi Valley divorces with lawyers end up here.

Simi Valley lawyers: $300-$500/hour

• Newer lawyers: $300-$375/hour

• Experienced: $375-$450/hour

• Top specialists: $450-$500/hour

Retainer: $5,000-$10,000 upfront.

Average: 50-85 hours.

At $300-$500/hour, that's $15,000-$42,500. Most settle around $18,000-$30,000 per person.

What adds cost:

• Custody fight: Add $3,500-$10,000 (evaluator: $6,000-$20,000)

• Complex property: Add $3,000-$8,000

• Spousal support disputes: Add $2,500-$6,000

• Business valuation: Add $10,000-$30,000

• Trial: Add $12,000-$35,000

High-Conflict: $40,000-$120,000+ Per Person

Serious custody battles, hidden assets, business valuations.

Real costs:

• Custody battle: $40,000-$70,000 per person

• Business owner: $45,000-$90,000 per person

• Hidden assets: $50,000-$95,000 per person

• Worst cases: $100,000-$200,000+ per person

How to avoid: Settle early. Every month adds $2,500-$6,000.

Additional Costs

Custody evaluator: $6,000-$20,000 split (so $3,000-$10,000 each)

Guardian ad Litem: $5,000-$15,000 split

Business valuation: $8,000-$30,000

Forensic accountant: $10,000-$40,000

Home appraisal: $500-$800

QDRO: $600-$3,000

Therapy: $150-$250/session in Simi Valley. Most do 2-4 sessions/month for 6-12 months. That's $1,800-$12,000 total.

What Determines Your Cost

Can you agree? Agree = under $1,500 total. Fight = $40,000-$70,000+.

Do you have kids? Adds $1,500-$6,000 even if you agree. Fight over custody adds $10,000-$30,000+.

Do you own a house? Simi Valley real estate is expensive. Fighting over a $900k house adds serious legal costs.

Does someone own a business? Needs valuation ($8,000-$30,000). Fighting over it adds $15,000-$40,000.

Big income difference? You'll fight over spousal support. Add $2,500-$6,000.

California Community Property

California is community property state. Everything acquired during marriage automatically splits 50/50 unless there's good reason otherwise.

50/50 split is clear, but valuation and division logistics get complicated.

Spousal Support in Simi Valley

California has formulas for temporary support, but permanent support is discretionary.

How much? For temp support, Ventura County uses formula (roughly 40% of higher earner minus 50% of lower earner). Permanent support varies.

How long?

• Under 10 years: Half the marriage length typically

• Over 10 years: Can be indefinite until remarriage/death

Fighting adds $2,500-$6,000 in legal fees.

Child Support

California has strict formula. Use DissoMaster calculator.

You can't waive child support. Fighting over income adds $1,000-$3,500.

How Long Does It Take?

Uncontested: 7-10 months (6-month wait + processing)

Contested: 12-18 months

High-conflict: 18-30 months

How to Save Money

1. Agree before hiring lawyers

2. Use mediation

3. Do some work yourself

4. Use email, not calls

5. Don't use lawyer as therapist

6. Be efficient

7. Settle early

8. Pick battles

Real Talk: What Most People Pay

Amicable, no kids, minimal assets: $600-$1,200 (DIY or Divorce.com)

Amicable with kids and house: $3,500-$7,000 (uncontested lawyer)

Some disagreements: $10,000-$22,000 per person (mediation or early settlement)

Significant disputes: $18,000-$35,000 per person (contested with settlement)

High-conflict: $40,000-$110,000+ per person

Median Simi Valley divorce probably costs $18,000-$28,000 per person. That's expensive, but typical for affluent Ventura County suburbs.

The Bottom Line

Divorce in Simi Valley costs $475 (DIY) to $110,000+ (high-conflict) per person.

You control where you land. Work together = under $2,000 each. Fight = tens of thousands.

Compromise where you can. Settle early. Your future self will thank you.

Simi Valley is expensive—upper-middle-class suburban SoCal pricing. But you'll get through this.