How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Toronto, ON? (2026 Guide)

You're sitting in your car outside a Loblaws in Yorkville at midnight, scrolling through divorce costs. Here's what you need to know: Toronto is Canada's most expensive city for divorce. High filing fees ($632 CAD), expensive lawyers, and extreme real estate values make everything costly.

But Canada has no waiting period for uncontested divorces (once you've been separated 1 year), and the process is relatively straightforward.

Let me break down what you'll actually pay in Canada's largest city.

What You're Looking At (All prices in CAD)

Do it yourself: $682-$782 (filing $632 + service $50-$150)

Online service: $1,131-$2,414 (includes filing and service)

Mediation: $3,500-$10,000 per person

Contested with lawyers: $12,000-$30,000 per person

High-conflict: $50,000-$150,000+ per person

Most Toronto divorces with lawyers cost $18,000-$25,000 per person. That's very expensive—Toronto is Canada's priciest city—but the legal system is efficient.

If you agree on everything and have been separated 1 year, you can do this for under $1,600 total.

Real Toronto Divorces

The cooperative one: Mark and Jennifer, married 6 years, no kids, renting a condo downtown. Separated 1 year, used online service, agreed on everything. Total: $1,015 each. Done in 6 weeks after filing.

The typical one: David and Sarah, married 13 years, two kids, owned house in North York worth $1.4M. Both professionals. Hired lawyers to negotiate custody and property. David paid $22,500. Sarah paid $19,800. Settled in 11 months.

The expensive one: Robert owned shares in a Bay Street firm. Lisa wanted half. They fought over the business, the Rosedale house ($2.8M), cottage in Muskoka, retirement accounts, custody. Robert spent $138,000. Lisa spent $116,000. Plus $48,000 for experts. Took 24 months.

That last one is what happens when you fight about everything in Toronto's expensive market.

The Costs Everyone Pays

Ontario Superior Court Filing Fee: $632 CAD

Expensive. One of the highest filing fees in Canada. One spouse pays this to file the Application for Divorce.

Pay at Ontario Superior Court of Justice (361 University Avenue, downtown Toronto). They take debit, credit, cash, money order.

Can't afford it? You can request fee waiver in cases of financial hardship, but it's rarely granted.

Getting Your Spouse Served: $50-$150 CAD

Ontario requires proper service. Options:

• Process server: $100-$150 (most reliable)

• Registered mail: $50-$75 (if spouse cooperates)

• Personal service by adult: $0 (friend/family member can serve if over 18)

Most use process server ($100-$150) for reliability.

The 1-Year Separation Requirement

Canada requires you be separated for 1 year before filing for divorce (unless you're claiming adultery or cruelty, which most people don't).

You must live separately for 12 consecutive months. You can live in the same house if you're "living separate lives" but that's harder to prove.

Once you've been separated 1 year, there's NO additional waiting period. File, serve, and if uncontested, finalize in 6-12 weeks.

Timeline:

• 12 months: Mandatory separation

• 2-4 weeks: Prepare Application

• 1 week: File and serve

• 6-12 weeks: Processing and Divorce Order (if uncontested)

Total: About 13-14 months from separation to finalized divorce.

DIY Divorce: $682-$782 CAD

Total: $682-$782. About 40% who start DIY in Toronto finish without help. Good success rate.

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

Most spend 15-25 hours. Ontario's equitable distribution allows flexible division.

Time: 6-12 weeks after filing (plus 1 year separation before filing).

Online Divorce Services: $1,131-$2,414 CAD

Several Canadian services help with paperwork (like Divorce.com in US):

• DIY Legal

• Divorce Mate

• Hello Divorce Canada

Total: $1,131-$2,414 (service $499-$1,782 + filing $632 + service $50-$150).

You still must agree on everything. Just helps with forms.

Mediation: $3,500-$10,000 Per Person

Toronto mediators charge $250-$450/hour.

Most couples need 15-30 hours. Average: $3,500-$10,000 each.

Smart combo: Mediate ($3,500-$10,000), pay lawyer 4 hours ($1,200-$2,000) to review. Total: $4,700-$12,000 per person.

Hiring a Lawyer

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

Flat fee if you agree: $3,000-$7,000 total.

Contested Divorce: $12,000-$30,000 Per Person

Toronto lawyers: $300-$500/hour

• Newer: $300-$375/hour

• Experienced: $375-$450/hour

• Top specialists: $450-$500/hour

Retainer: $5,000-$15,000 upfront.

Average: 40-75 hours. Most settle $18,000-$25,000 per person.

High-Conflict: $50,000-$150,000+ Per Person

Real costs:

• Custody battle: $45,000-$85,000 per person

• Business owner: $50,000-$110,000 per person

• Hidden assets: $60,000-$130,000 per person

Additional Costs

Custody assessment: $8,000-$25,000 split Business valuation: $10,000-$40,000 Forensic accountant: $12,000-$50,000 Home appraisal: $500-$800 Pension valuation: $1,500-$5,000 Therapy: $180-$280/session in Toronto

Ontario Equitable Distribution

Ontario uses equitable distribution (Family Law Act). Not automatic 50/50 like US community property.

Matrimonial home: Special rules. Usually splits 50/50 regardless of who owned it before marriage.

Other property: Calculate "net family property" (assets minus debts on separation date minus assets on marriage date). Spouse with more pays half the difference to other spouse.

Toronto's $1.4M average home price makes property division complex.

Spousal Support in Toronto

Ontario uses federal Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines. Consider:

• Marriage length

• Income gap

• Standard of living

• Age and health

• Ability to become self-sufficient

How much? Usually 0.5% to 1% of income difference per year of marriage.

How long? Related to marriage length. 10-year marriage = 5-10 years support typically.

Child Support

Federal Child Support Guidelines apply. Use online calculator. Amount based on paying parent's income and number of kids.

Toronto's high incomes mean high support amounts.

How Long Does It Take?

Uncontested: 6-12 weeks after filing (plus 1 year separation) Contested: 10-18 months after filing (plus 1 year separation) High-conflict: 18-30 months after filing (plus 1 year separation)

Real Talk: What Most People Pay

Amicable, no kids: $800-$1,800 (DIY or online service) Amicable with kids and condo: $3,000-$7,000 (uncontested lawyer) Some disagreements: $10,000-$18,000 per person Significant disputes: $18,000-$30,000 per person (contested) High-conflict: $50,000-$130,000+ per person

Median Toronto divorce probably costs $18,000-$23,000 per person. Very expensive for Canada.

The Bottom Line

Divorce in Toronto costs $682 (DIY) to $130,000+ (high-conflict) per person.

High filing fee ($632), expensive lawyers, and $1.4M average home make Toronto Canada's priciest divorce city.

But 1-year separation then no waiting period makes process efficient.

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