Can I Afford to Get Divorced? A Realistic Look at the Costs
The cost of divorce is one of the most common reasons people stay stuck. You want out, but every time you start researching it, the numbers feel overwhelming and you close the tab. That fear makes sense, but it is usually based on the worst-case scenario rather than what an uncontested Arizona divorce actually costs.
Here is the realistic picture of what you are looking at, so you can make a real decision instead of an imagined one.
The real cost of a simple Arizona divorce
For an uncontested divorce in Arizona, the total cost is usually between $500 and $700. That breaks down into two main categories.
Court filing fees. These are paid directly to the Superior Court in your county. They are set by the state and not negotiable (though you may qualify for a waiver, more on that below). In Maricopa County, the petitioner (the spouse who files first) pays $349. The respondent pays $274 to file a response.
Document preparation. You need to prepare a set of official Arizona Supreme Court forms correctly filled out for your county and situation. You can do this yourself using the free court forms, hire an attorney, or use a document preparation service. Attorneys typically start around $1,500 to $2,500 for an uncontested case and go up from there. prepares all required documents for a flat fee of $199.
That is the full picture for a straightforward uncontested divorce: roughly $500 to $700 total when you use a document preparation service. Not free, but far less than most people fear.
For a full breakdown of what Arizona divorce costs across different scenarios, see the .
What makes divorce more expensive
Costs rise when a divorce becomes contested. If you and your spouse disagree on property, debt, child custody, or support, and cannot resolve those disagreements on your own, you will need attorneys. That is when costs climb into the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.
The following factors tend to drive costs up:
- Significant property or retirement assets to divide
- Disputes over child custody or parenting time
- One spouse refusing to cooperate or respond
- Complicated business ownership or debt situations
- Geographic separation requiring additional legal coordination
If your situation involves any of these, a document preparation service is not the right tool. You need legal counsel. But if you and your spouse are on the same page about the basics, an uncontested divorce in Arizona is genuinely affordable.
If you cannot afford the filing fee
Arizona courts allow qualifying filers to defer or waive court fees. The process uses Form DFAP1, which asks about your income and household expenses. If your income falls below a certain threshold, the court may waive the filing fee entirely or allow you to pay it later.