Wisconsin Divorce Cost Calculator

Wisconsin divorce filing fee

Filing a divorce petition in Wisconsin costs $184.50 under the statewide fee schedule (some counties add local charges). (source)

• Civil commencement fee, Wis. Stat. 814.61(1)(a): $75
• Family court counseling services fee, Wis. Stat. 814.61(1)(b): $20
• Court support services surcharge, Wis. Stat. 814.85(1)(a): $68
• Justice information system surcharge, Wis. Stat. 814.86(1): $21.50

A joint petition, filed by both spouses together, costs $184.50 to file and needs no service.

A petition that asks for child support, maintenance or family support costs $10 more ($194.50) unless the filer receives listed public assistance; Milwaukee County adds a $3.50 special prosecution clerks surcharge; e-filing adds $35 per party.

Scheduled change: from November 1, 2026, the filing fee is $273 (2025 Wisconsin Act 179, Section 85 (effective the first day of the 7th month after publication on April 4, 2026); Wis. Stat. 814.61(1)(a),(b), 814.85(1)(a), 814.86(1) as amended). (source)

The case is filed in the Wisconsin Circuit Court (county clerk of circuit court).

Serving divorce papers in Wisconsin

Your spouse can sign the Admission of Service (FA-4119V) instead of being served, which costs nothing. (form)

In Milwaukee County, service costs $100 (Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office civil process fee for legal papers (state statute sets a $12 minimum, rising to $33 on 11-1-2026; counties may set higher fees under Wis. Stat. 814.705)). (source)

Required mediation

When legal custody or physical placement is contested, the court must refer the parties to family court services for possible mediation; the first session is a screening session. The first court-referred session is free; after that the county charges a single $200 fee for all further sessions ($285 from 11-1-2026), reduced by ability to pay, or uses its own cost-based schedule. Private mediators set their own fees. (source)

Fee waiver in Wisconsin

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs, Declaration of Indigency (CV-410A) (Wis. Stat. 814.29(1)). The court may waive fees on a finding that because of poverty the person is unable to pay the costs of the action. The form asks whether the filer receives listed public benefits; others report income, expenses and assets. (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 Wisconsin

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $285 an hour in Wisconsin 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 Milwaukee County run from about $184.50 on the cheapest route to $284.50 or more on a contested case with sheriff service; other counties in Wisconsin charge different amounts.