Cost of Divorce in Delaware

Delaware divorces range from under $200 for a simple uncontested filing to $15,000 or more for a contested case with complex assets. Where you land on that spectrum depends on how much you and your spouse agree on and how efficiently you prepare.

Court Filing Fees

The base filing fee in Delaware Family Court is $165, plus a mandatory $10 Court Security Assessment — $175 total. If you file ancillary matters (property division, alimony) separately rather than bundling them with the divorce petition, each costs an additional $90.

Service of process through the sheriff's office adds another fee. Filing can be done in person, by mail, or by email through county-specific portals. Low-income filers can request a fee waiver using Civil Form 49 (Application and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis).

Attorney Costs

Delaware family attorneys charge an average of roughly $250 to $425 per hour. Most require a retainer of $3,000 to $5,000 upfront, billing against that retainer as work is done.

A straightforward uncontested divorce with a signed separation agreement might cost $1,500 to $3,000 in total legal fees. A contested case that goes to trial on ancillary matters — especially property division or alimony — can run $10,000 to $25,000 or more per spouse.

The biggest driver of attorney cost isn't the court's fees. It's the number of hours your lawyer spends gathering financial information, drafting disclosure documents, and negotiating. Showing up to your first meeting with organized financial records can cut hours off that bill.

Mediation Costs

Private mediation in Delaware typically runs $3,000 to $8,000 total (usually split between spouses). Sessions typically cost $200 to $400 per hour, with most cases resolving in 3 to 6 sessions.

Delaware Family Court also offers court-connected mediation through the Office of the Child Advocate for custody and parenting issues, which is less expensive than private mediation.

QDRO Preparation

If retirement accounts need to be divided, you'll need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. QDRO preparation services typically charge $300 to $400 per retirement plan. Online QDRO services like qdro.com and qdrocounsel.com offer flat-fee drafting with plan-administrator approval guarantees.

Other Common Costs

• Property appraisals: $300 to $600 for a residential appraisal
• Business valuations: $3,000 to $10,000+ depending on complexity
• Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA): $300 to $1,500 for financial analysis and planning
• Parent education course: Required within 180 days of filing; typically $40 to $80

How to Reduce Costs

The most effective cost reduction is preparation. Completing your financial inventory — listing every asset, debt, income source, and monthly expense — before you meet with an attorney saves hours of billable time. Your attorney shouldn't be the one sorting through bank statements at $400 an hour.

Similarly, completing as much of the Form 465 (Ancillary Financial Disclosure Report) preparation as possible before the 30-day filing deadline reduces the chance of costly extensions or sanctions.

The Delaware Divorce Financial Split Guide includes worksheets for organizing your complete financial picture, designed to map directly onto Form 465's categories so your preparation time does double duty.

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