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Last Modified on Oct 06, 2025
It can be difficult to pursue a divorce, especially a contested one. California is a community property state, which means that all marital assets are split equally between both spouses. When you consider court costs, loss of assets, ongoing child and/or spousal support, and lawyer fees, a divorce starts to look like a truly expensive venture. It’s up to you to decide if the ends justify the means. You may want to look into the cheapest way to get a divorce in California.
Getting divorced in California can be an expensive, exhausting, and emotionally painful situation, especially if the divorce is contested. However, since California is a no-fault divorce state, you don’t need a reason to pursue a divorce. You just have to do what you feel is right for your happiness. You can pursue many different avenues for a divorce, and all of them have their merits. The cheapest way to get a divorce in California may not necessarily be the easiest.
Why Should You Hire a Divorce Lawyer?
There are many important reasons why you should hire a divorce lawyer. The last thing you want is to move forward with your divorce without legal help by your side, especially if your spouse has hired a lawyer. You could end up losing far more than you anticipated. At Edgar & Dow, we can provide you with the right resources to preserve your financial security in your divorce. Our legal team has helped hundreds of clients through their divorces, and we can help you, too.
The legal team at Edgar & Dow understands the difficulties ahead of you. That’s why it’s so important to hire an experienced divorce attorney who understands what you’re about to deal with. You will want someone in your corner who understands the California divorce laws and has considerable experience handling divorce cases like yours. You don’t want to make the unfortunate mistake of underestimating your spouse and their legal team. We can help.
Understanding Marriage & Divorce Statistics
It may be vital to your case’s success that you understand the marriage and divorce statistics of your state. At the very least, it can reinforce your decision to end your marriage and remind you that you’re not alone in all this. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the divorce rate in California is one of the lowest in the nation, at only 9.4% as of 2024.
Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) puts the marriage rate in California at only 5.5 per 1,000 residents as of 2023. Just because divorce and marriage alike are below the national average in California, that doesn’t make your struggle any less valid.
Getting divorced can be emotionally and mentally overwhelming, especially if you are focused on the financial difficulties ahead of you. You may want to consider prioritizing your mental health above all else, as you shouldn’t make any important decisions when you’re struggling in that way. You may want to consider reaching out to a local divorce support group like DivorceCare, The Love Lab, or Who Am I Now. They can help you move forward.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Get a Divorce in California?
Generally, the cheapest way to get divorced is to initiate what’s called a “DIY divorce,” or “do it yourself.” Doing it yourself can be cheaper as you won’t have to pay any legal fees if you don’t hire a lawyer, and you can go through the divorce entirely at your own pace. You will be responsible for filing the correct paperwork at the correct time by yourself or with the help of your spouse if the divorce is uncontested.
If your spouse contests the divorce, you may want to consult with a divorce lawyer to learn what your cheaper options may be. Divorce lawyers can uncomplicate the legal matters surrounding a divorce, but you are not legally required to have one represent you during your divorce. It is recommended that you consult with a divorce lawyer if there are considerable legal complications involved with your divorce, such as custody agreements.
A DIY divorce may be your easiest option when your divorce has no complications. If you and your spouse are amicable, if there are no children or major assets to divide, you may be able to handle the divorce on your own. If you and your spouse meet certain requirements, you may be able to pursue a summary dissolution, which is an alternative to divorce for couples with little to no assets, no children, and a short marriage.
Here are some important considerations that you should ponder while thinking about whether DIY divorce is the right move to make for your situation:
- Communication. During a divorce, you must communicate with your spouse. It may not always be pleasant, but it’s a necessity if you want things to go smoothly. If there are children involved, you will have to develop a strong co-parenting strategy for the future. When you don’t have a lawyer acting as a buffer between the two of you, communication is forced and you must speak to your spouse about divorce details.
- Full disclosure. You and your spouse must have complete transparency regarding each other’s finances, assets, goals, and plans. If you believe your spouse is attempting to hide assets and keep you from receiving what you are owed, that’s when you should reach out to a divorce lawyer and get them involved in what is about to become a contested divorce. If your spouse refuses to disclose their finances, you can get a court order.
DIY Divorce Requirements
You still have to meet certain state requirements for a DIY divorce, such as the residency requirements. California requires at least one of the spouses to have lived in the state for six months prior to divorce and in their filing county for at least three months.
Using the typical no-fault explanation of irreconcilable differences can explain away an uncontested divorce and help move things along. However, if at any point during your DIY divorce, you feel that things are becoming complicated, contested, or more than you can handle, you should reach out to a divorce lawyer and see how they can help.
FAQs
How Much Is the Cheapest Divorce in California?
Depending on how cheap your divorce ends up being, it really varies on a case-by-case basis. If you do not hire a lawyer and pay only the cost of filing the necessary paperwork with the courts, the total you may spend on your divorce is around $435. If you ultimately decide to hire a lawyer for your divorce, you will need to pay their fee as well. Divorce can be as cheap or expensive as it needs to be.
How Do I File for Divorce With No Money in California?
You can file for divorce with no money in California by requesting a fee waiver from the California courts when you go to file the paperwork. The usual fee for filing divorce paperwork is around $435, but if you qualify for a fee waiver, you can avoid that charge. To qualify for a fee waiver, you must receive public benefits, have an income below a listed amount, or be unable to pay the fee but can still pay for your basic daily needs.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Divorce if Both Parties Agree in California?
The total cost of an uncontested divorce depends entirely on the case at hand. Every divorce case is different, with different circumstances, assets, custody agreements, and details inherent in each individual case. Due to the differences among cases, there is no way to tell from the start how much your divorce will cost you, even if both parties are in total agreement. They may change that stance as the divorce progresses, and you could spend as much or as little as it takes.
What Is the Quickest Way to Get Divorced in California?
The quickest way to get divorced in California is to push for an uncontested divorce. In an uncontested divorce, both parties are amicable, have worked out an agreement for property division, and have reached terms for custody if there are children involved. While every situation is different, and there are no guarantees, an uncontested divorce generally tends to be quicker than a contested one.
Contact a Divorce Lawyer Today
The potential financial strain of a divorce cannot be overstated. Depending on the details of your case and the difficulties ahead of you, you could be looking at a serious loss. That’s why it’s so important to reach out to an experienced divorce lawyer. Not only can they provide you with much-needed legal guidance, but they can also help you determine the most cost-effective way to end your marriage without losing too much. You can never have too much help and support.
Getting divorced can be expensive and time-consuming, and while you may want to handle it on your own without the help of a lawyer, having someone on your side who understands divorce law and can provide you with constant assistance can only help you in the long run. The legal team at the Edgar & Dow can provide you with peace of mind, experience, and knowledge for your case. Contact us to schedule a consultation soon.
