West Virginia Divorce Cost Calculator

West Virginia divorce filing fee

Filing a divorce petition in West Virginia costs $135 in every county. (source)

The other spouse pays no fee to file a response.

The case is filed in the West Virginia Family Court (filed with the county Circuit Clerk).

Serving divorce papers in West Virginia

Your spouse can sign the Acceptance of Service (in the Petitioner's Divorce Packet, SCA-FC-100) instead of being served, which costs nothing. (form)

Service by the sheriff costs $30 (Statewide fee stated in the Supreme Court of Appeals petitioner's divorce packet for service by the Sheriff's Department ($20 by certified mail, restricted delivery)). (source)

Required parenting class

In proceedings involving minor children both parents must complete parent education and file a certificate of completion; the court may waive it for good cause. The class costs $25. Court-set cost of $25 per class, paid to the Circuit Clerk; waived for a participant who qualifies for a fee waiver. (source)

Fee waiver in West Virginia

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Affidavit to waive fees and court costs (completed at the Circuit Clerk's office) (SCA-FC-100 Petitioner's Divorce Packet Instructions). A deputy circuit clerk reviews the filer's financial affidavit and supporting documents and says whether the legal requirements for a waiver are met; the court reviews eligibility again at a later hearing. (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 West Virginia

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $247 an hour in West Virginia 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.

Without a lawyer, court costs in West Virginia run from about $135 on the cheapest route to $165 or more on a contested case with sheriff service.