How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Connecticut?

Court Filing Fee: $360

Every divorce case filed in Connecticut Superior Court requires a $360 entry fee, paid to the clerk's office when you submit your complaint. This is a flat fee regardless of whether your case is contested or uncontested.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, submit a Fee Waiver Application (JD-FM-75). You may qualify if your household income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, or if you receive qualifying public assistance — SNAP, Medicaid, TFA (Temporary Family Assistance), SSI, or state-funded legal services. The fee waiver can cover the court entry fee, marshal service costs, and the Parenting Education Program fee.

One catch: the fee waiver application requires monthly income figures, while the Financial Affidavit (JD-FM-6) requires weekly figures. Make sure these numbers are consistent when converted — the court treats discrepancies as a red flag.

Service of Process: $50–$150

Connecticut requires a licensed State Marshal to serve divorce papers on your spouse. The statutory base fee is $40, but mileage, multiple delivery attempts, per-page copying charges ($1 per page), and notary fees push the typical cost to $50 to $150.

You can avoid this cost entirely if your spouse is cooperative. Have them sign a Certification of Waiver of Service (JD-FM-249) and file their own Appearance (JD-CL-12). This eliminates the need for a marshal and saves both time and money.

Parenting Education Program: $150 Per Person

If you have minor children under 18, both parents must complete a state-approved six-hour Parenting Education Program within 60 days of filing. The cost is $150 per person, paid directly to the approved provider.

If you received a fee waiver from the court, the program provider is required to waive this fee as well.

Total Cost: Uncontested DIY Divorce

For an uncontested case where both spouses agree on all terms and handle the paperwork themselves:

These numbers assume no attorney involvement. If you use a private mediator to help negotiate terms, add $3,000 to $8,000 depending on the complexity of your case.

Contested Divorce: $15,000–$50,000+

When spouses cannot agree and the case goes to trial, costs escalate dramatically. Connecticut family law attorneys typically charge $300 to $600 per hour, with retainers ranging from $2,500 to $25,000. A fully contested divorce with custody disputes, property valuation experts, and forensic accountants can exceed $50,000 per spouse.

Even in a contested case, every dollar spent on reaching a partial agreement before trial is money saved. If you can settle custody and agree on the house but need the judge to decide alimony, you have reduced your trial time — and your legal bill — significantly.

How to Keep Costs Low

Agree before you file. The single biggest cost driver is disagreement. Couples who walk into the process with terms already worked out pay a fraction of what contested cases cost.

Use the service waiver. Having your spouse sign JD-FM-249 saves $50 to $150 and avoids scheduling headaches with the marshal.

Apply for the fee waiver early. If you qualify, JD-FM-75 can eliminate the filing fee, marshal fees, and parenting program costs.

File on the papers. Requesting approval without a courtroom appearance (Forms JD-FM-281 and JD-FM-282) means no travel, no time off work, and no need to prepare testimony.

The Connecticut Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a fee waiver worksheet and a full cost estimator that maps every expense based on your specific situation — children, assets, and whether you qualify for the expedited nonadversarial track.

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