GA ranks among the most expensive state to get divorced. Here’s the cost
Georgia’s divorce rate was 2.1 per 1,000 residents as of 2022, according to the CDC data, and aside from the emotional toll it takes, it is one of the most expensive decisions you can make.
According to an April 2026 report from law firm Bogin, Munns & Munns, Georgia ranks 8th among the most expensive states for divorce, with total estimated costs landing around $15,900.
How much divorce costs in Georgia
The report tallied divorce costs by totalling up associated fees based on each state’s average billing rate. The rate was multiplied by 42, the typical amount of billable hours for a divorce case.
- Average attorney billing rate: $369/hour
- Court filing fee: $400
- Estimated attorney fee: $15,400
- Total estimated divorce cost: $15,900
- Property division rule: Equitable distribution (judges divide assets “fairly,” not necessarily 50/50)
How to cut divorce costs
Go uncontested
The single biggest cost driver in divorce is disagreement. When both spouses agree on all pertinent items of dispute it can be sometimes completed for under $500 total when handled without an attorney.
The moment it becomes contested, you’re looking at $10,000 to $25,000 or more.
To keep it uncontested:
- Both spouses must agree on all terms, like custody, property and support
- Try for “no fault” divorce
- File as “irretrievably broken”
Do it yourself
The cheapest divorce options in Georgia are a DIY divorce, where you only pay around $230 in court fees. There are also online document preparation services, where you pay roughly $159 on top of that for your paperwork
- Download court-approved forms directly from your county’s Superior Court website (free)
- Employ online services like OnlineDivorceGA.com or ReliableDivorce.com (around $99 - $159)
- You still pay the court filing fee (~$200–$400 depending on county) on top of any service fee
What to do if you can’t afford the filing fee
If you can’t afford to pay filing fees, there are a few options available.
- File a “Pauper’s Affidavit and Order“ which will waive the fee
- Look into DivorceNet, where you will need to show proof of financial hardship.
- Contact Georgia Legal Aid
- Hire a “flat-fee” attorney
Most and least expensive states to divorce
5 most expensive:
- Washington, D.C: $20,700 (attorney rate: $492/hr)
- Delaware: $20,100
- New York: $18,200
- California: $18,200 (highest filing fee in the country at $435)
- Connecticut: $17,400
5 least expensive:
The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, cites these five states as the “best” for divorce.
- Wyoming: $7,924
- North Dakota: $6,884
- South Dakota: $11,099
- Maine: $8,814
- Mississippi: $9,017
Divorce is expensive no matter where you live, but in Georgia, it’s more expensive than most. If you and your spouse can’t agree, you should budget accordingly.