How Much Does Divorce Cost in California? 2026 Fees Explained
Divorce in California costs at least $435 in court filing fees alone — and anywhere from free to tens of thousands of dollars overall, depending almost entirely on how much you and your spouse agree on and whether you hire lawyers. Here’s the honest breakdown, so nothing surprises you. The Court Filing Fee (everyone pays this) California charges a first-appearance (“first paper”) filing fee of $435 (Government Code §§70611–70612), though some counties add minor surcharges on top. ...