What did an uncontested divorce actually cost you, all in?
Filing fee, attorney fees, process server, copies — what was the real number when it was all done? Trying to budget.
Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.
Filing fee, attorney fees, process server, copies — what was the real number when it was all done? Trying to budget.
✓ Verified answer from a licensed attorney — shown first
LA County family-law attorney here. For a clean uncontested case with no kids and no real-estate, the sticker price in CA is roughly: $435 filing fee (waivable on FW-001 if you qualify), $75-$150 for a process server, and $800-$1,800 for limited-scope attorney help with the petition and judgment package. With kids or property, add another $400-$1,000 for the FL-105/UCCJEA piece and the property declarations. If you're at or near the fee-waiver line, ask about FW-001 first — that single form is often the difference between filing now and waiting six months. Not advice on your particular case.
About $2,100 total for us. $435 filing fee, ~$90 process server, $1,400 flat-fee unbundled attorney, and the rest was copies, certified judgment, and parking at the courthouse.
Around the case
Other things people in your situation usually need to handle. Some are paid partners; some are free community resources — labeled clearly.
LSC · Find local legal aid
Legal-aid directory · Free · income-qualified
Legal Services Corporation directory of every nonprofit legal-aid program in the US. Most provide free representation for income-qualified clients.
Find your local office →Open Path Collective
Affordable therapy directory · Free directory · $40–$80 / session
Nonprofit therapist network — every member commits to $40–$80 session pricing for clients in financial distress. National coverage.
Find a therapist →Swift Serve
Process server · $90–$120 typical
Same-day service on family-court papers. Flat fee, transparent pricing, certified Proof of Service delivered back.
Get a quote →Share what helped you. Be kind — and remember this is your experience, not legal advice.
Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.