What Does Divorce Cost in California?
Court filing fees, attorney rates, and what changes when both parties agree. Updated for 2026. These are estimates, not quotes.
The cost of a divorce in California depends almost entirely on one thing: whether both of you are reasonable. When you use SerenityNow to come to an agreement on property, support, and a parenting plan, most of the expense disappears. When you fight it out, attorney hours stack up fast. The two paths below show the difference honestly.
The two paths
SerenityNow
$500
flat
We help both parties come to a reasonable agreement, then prepare your complete California filing packet. The court filing fee is paid separately to the court. The calmest and lowest cost path.
Contested, high conflict
$16,435+
Retainer plus dozens of billable hours. Costs climb with every disputed issue.
Child support in California
For a coparenting household with two children and a moderate income difference, the California guideline produces an estimate around $868 per month. Use the calculator below to run your own numbers and switch states if you need to compare.
Your situation
Your estimate
Estimated monthly child support
$868/mo
paid by you to the other parent
For an exact calculation, use the official California child support calculator.
Estimate only. Not legal advice. Confirm current guidelines with the official California child support agency.
Governing rule: Cal. Fam. Code Section 4055 (updated by SB 343, eff. Sept 2025). This estimate is illustrative and does not replace the official California calculation.
Where the money goes
| Court filing fee (California) | $435 to $535 |
| SerenityNow flat fee | $500 |
| Attorney hourly rate | $300 to $550 |
| Contested attorney time (40 to 100+ hours) | $16,000 to $40,000 |
California filing fee is $435 statewide. First appearance fee is $435 for the respondent. A fee waiver may be available if you qualify.
California cost facts
- Court filing fee in California typically runs $435 to $535.
- Residency rule: Six months in California, three months in the county where you file.
- California filing fee is $435 statewide. First appearance fee is $435 for the respondent.
- When both parties are reasonable and use SerenityNow to come to an agreement, we prepare your complete court ready filing packet for a flat $500. The court filing fee is paid separately to the court.
The cheapest divorce is the one you do not fight
SerenityNow helps coparents reach a court ready agreement together, then prepares the filing paperwork for your state for a flat $500.
See how SerenityNow worksEstimate only. The figures on this page are general estimates drawn from published California court fee schedules and attorney rate surveys, and the child support estimate is illustrative. They are not legal or financial advice and they are not a quote for any specific case. The $500 SerenityNow fee covers document preparation for an uncontested filing where both parties are reasonable and use SerenityNow to come to an agreement, and does not include the court filing fee or any attorney representation. Actual costs vary by county and by the complexity of your situation. Child support estimates do not replace the official California calculation or the advice of a licensed attorney. Verify all figures with the California courts and a qualified professional before relying on them.