How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Pennsylvania?

Answered by Nicholas Masington, Esq. · 13-second video · Updated November 2026

The Short Answer

It mostly depends on how much you and your spouse agree on. A basic divorce where everything is agreed usually starts around $1,500 to $2,000. Anything beyond that depends on how many issues you disagree about and how hard each one is fought.

Read the Video Transcript

“How much does a divorce cost in Pennsylvania? That’s really up to you. Minimum you’re going to spend on a divorce is going to be $1,500 to $2,000, and that’s basic, everything agreed. Anything over that is up to you and how much you guys fight about.”

Agreed vs. Contested: Where the Cost Comes From

The biggest factor in what a Pennsylvania divorce costs is not the paperwork. It’s how many decisions you and your spouse can make together. When everything is agreed, the attorney’s job is mostly drafting and filing. Every issue you can’t agree on adds negotiation, court time, or both.

Everything Agreed

$1,500–$2,000

Typical starting point when you agree on property, support and custody before filing.

Issues In Dispute

Varies

Cost rises with each issue that has to be negotiated or decided by a judge, and with how long the disagreement lasts.

What Usually Makes a Divorce Cost More

Custody disagreements. Disputes over where the children live and the schedule often take the most time.
Dividing property and debt. Houses, retirement accounts and businesses can take negotiation or valuation.
Alimony and support. Disagreements over who pays and how much.
Hearings and back-and-forth. Each court appearance and round of negotiation adds attorney time.

How to Keep the Cost Down

Talk through as many decisions as you can with your spouse before you file.
Gather financial documents early: pay stubs, tax returns, account and debt statements.
Focus disagreements on the issues that really matter to you.

Want to Know What Your Divorce Would Cost?

Tell us where things stand with your spouse and we can give you a realistic estimate for your situation.

Answered by

Nicholas Masington, Esq.

Family Law Attorney · ARM Lawyers

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This page provides general information about Pennsylvania law, not legal advice. Costs vary with the facts of each case. Watching this video or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.