California Divorce Cost Calculator

California divorce filing fee

Filing a divorce petition in California costs $435 under the statewide fee schedule (some counties add local charges). (source)

A joint petition, filed by both spouses together, costs $870 to file and needs no service.

Riverside, San Bernardino and San Francisco counties add a courthouse construction surcharge, so the fee there is higher (the Judicial Council gives the range as $435 to $450).

If your spouse files a response, they pay $435. (source)

The case is filed in the Superior Court of California (county family law division).

Serving divorce papers in California

Your spouse can sign the Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt (FL-117) instead of being served, which costs nothing. (form)

Sheriff and process-server fees are set locally in California; ask the sheriff's office in the county where your spouse lives.

Required mediation

When custody or visitation is contested, the court must set those issues for mediation (court-connected family court services). No mediation fee found in the statewide fee schedule; confirm with the county court. (source)

Fee waiver in California

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001) (Gov. Code 68630 et seq.). Three routes: you receive public benefits; your household income is below the limit listed on form FW-001, item 5b; or you cannot meet your household's basic needs and pay court fees. (source)

The court or clerk decides whether to grant it and which fees it covers; filing the form does not guarantee a waiver.

Lawyer fees in California

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $410 an hour in California for 2025. (source) It is an average across lawyers, not a quote. Enter a lawyer's estimated hours above to price them, or enter the rate you were quoted.