Divorce Alimony / Legal Cost Estimator
Educational estimates to explore potential legal costs (min/likely/max) and an optional alimony quick summary. This is not legal advice.
Legal cost inputs
Hours can be edited per phase. Trial hours scale with days × hours/day × (1 − settlement probability).
Phase sliders
Estimate summary
Likely labor cost
$41,498
Low (min)
$34,011
Lower bound with ± uncertainty
Hard costs
$3,850
High (max)
$56,684
Upper bound with ± uncertainty
Likely total
$45,348
Retainer shortfall
$37,848
Cumulative legal spend
See how labor costs build through each phase and how hard costs push the total higher.
Narrative overview
Likely total: $45,348 (labor $41,498 + hard $3,850). Range: $34,011 – $56,684 (±25%). Expected fee-shift credit ≈ $1,134 (probability-adjusted). Retainer shortfall (likely): $37,848.
Educational estimate only — not legal advice. Case facts, counsel strategy, opposing behavior, court calendars, and local rules drive actual cost.
Quick alimony summary (optional)
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How to use the Divorce Legal Cost Calculator
Estimate attorney retainers, court fees, mediation, and expert costs so you can budget for each phase of a divorce.
- Select the divorce type—uncontested, collaborative, or litigated—to set the baseline complexity.
- Add hourly rates, anticipated billable hours, and retainer deposits for legal counsel.
- Include court filing fees, parenting classes, or appraisal costs for shared assets.
- Review the projected total and compare it against savings or expected settlements.
Divorce Legal Cost Calculator key terms
Knowing how each field influences the results keeps the math grounded in reality.
Retainer
Upfront deposit held in a trust account from which attorneys bill their hourly work.
Mediation
A facilitated negotiation process that can shorten timelines and reduce legal bills compared with trial.
Discovery
Information gathering through subpoenas, depositions, and financial experts. Discovery-heavy cases generally cost more.
Divorce Legal Cost Calculator planning ideas
Try running a few “what if” scenarios to translate the numbers into real-world decisions.
Settle versus litigate
Model the cost difference between a collaborative agreement and a court trial so you understand what is at stake.
Use specialists sparingly
Add or remove forensic accountants, child specialists, and appraisers to see their budget impact.
Payment pacing
Break the case into phases (initial filings, negotiation, trial) to plan cash flow needs over time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I negotiate legal fees?
Many attorneys offer flat-fee packages for uncontested matters or will work with you to limit billable hours. Having a calculator-backed budget makes those conversations easier.
What costs are hardest to predict?
Litigation timelines and discovery requests can change quickly. Revisit the calculator as new motions are filed so you can adjust your plan before invoices arrive.