What court really costs, before you lawyer up
Court is slow, expensive and built to escalate. Put the paths side by side, money and time, before a contested case becomes the plan for your kids.
Start for your kidsWho it is for
- Parents deciding whether to hire a lawyer
- Parents who have been told court is the only option
What you get
- Typical cost ranges for each path, from doing it yourselves to trial
- How long each path usually takes
- Links straight into the tools that keep you out of court
Typical cost of each path
Do it yourselves (uncontested)~$100–$500
Court filing fees only, using your county self-help forms.
Mediation (neutral third party)~$3,500–$6,000
Usually 60–80% cheaper than fighting it out. ~2–4 months.
Uncontested, but each hires a lawyer~$4,100
You already agree — you are mostly paying for paperwork.
Contested, settled before trial~$10,600
Months of letters, motions, and billed hours to reach a deal you could have reached sooner.
Contested, all the way to trial~$20,000+ each
Often a year or more. A stranger in a robe decides your family.
How it works
- 1See the paths. Do it yourselves, mediation, or a contested case.
- 2Compare honestly. Money, months, and what the kids live through meanwhile.
- 3Choose the next step. Most families can start with agreement or a mediator.
These are typical ranges, not a quote. Your costs depend on your county, your case and your lawyers.