[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/cost-of-divorce-in-north-carolina\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/cost-of-divorce-in-north-carolina\/","headline":"Cost of Divorce in North Carolina","name":"Cost of Divorce in North Carolina","description":"A recent article in\u00a0USA Today\u00a0ranked the average cost of divorce in each state. North Carolina comes in near the middle for the cost of an average divorce, with and without children. The costs of filing for divorce are not that high, generally coming to a few hundred dollars. However, the cost of divorce disputes is...","datePublished":"2020-01-17","dateModified":"2025-12-13","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/author\/joshvalentine\/#Person","name":"Caulder & Valentine Law Firm, PLLC","url":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/author\/joshvalentine\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/59a8c7db8986bb59b244a84f92fdcc82cc219363084d68db67334e89ddd79836?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/59a8c7db8986bb59b244a84f92fdcc82cc219363084d68db67334e89ddd79836?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Caulder & Valentine Law Firm, PLLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/caulder-and-valentine-law-form-logo-2x-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/caulder-and-valentine-law-form-logo-2x-1.png","width":766,"height":142}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/caulder-valentine.png","url":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/caulder-valentine.png","width":718,"height":672},"url":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/cost-of-divorce-in-north-carolina\/","about":["Divorce"],"wordCount":524,"articleBody":"A recent article in\u00a0USA Today\u00a0ranked the average cost of divorce in each state. North Carolina comes in near the middle for the cost of an average divorce, with and without children. The costs of filing for divorce are not that high, generally coming to a few hundred dollars. However, the cost of divorce disputes is what drives up the cost. There are some options for divorcing couples that can reduce the expense of a separation in North Carolina.Average Cost of Divorce in North CarolinaThe filing fee for\u00a0divorce in North Carolina is currently $225 (with an additional $10.00 for filing a Resumption of Maiden Name). However, this fee can be waived for indigent filers through a Petition to Proceed as an Indigent.Other fees may involve paying the Sheriff’s office $30.00 for service of the summons and complaint to the defendant, or less to serve the summons by certified mail, return receipt requested.According to the article, the average cost of divorce without children is $13,100 (20th highest) and the average cost with children is $19,700 (21st highest).The \u201caverage\u201d cost of divorce may not be the amount a divorce will cost the average couple. The cost of highly contentious and\u00a0high-asset divorces may be much higher, while the cost of an uncontested divorce\u00a0can be very low. Together, very high-cost divorces and low-cost divorces average to the numbers above.The Most Expensive Divorce StatesCalifornia has the highest average cost of divorce. The average cost of divorce without children is $17,500 and with children, the average cost is $26,300. The high cost of divorce in California may be due to the higher-than-average cost of living and higher-than-average median household income. The high cost of divorce may also be a factor in California’s 5th-lowest level of divorced population.Other more expensive than average divorce states include:New YorkDelawareMassachusettsNew JerseyTexasThe Least Expensive Divorce StatesMontana has the lowest average cost of divorce. The average cost of divorce without children is $8,400 and with children, the average cost is $12,600. Other states with the lowest average cost of divorce without children include:KentuckyNorth DakotaWest VirginiaNebraskaNew MexicoReducing the Expense of a DivorceResolving disputes takes time and effort. Coming to a mutual agreement on what to do after a divorce can reduce the likelihood of litigation. Unfortunately, it can be impossible for a divorcing couple to agree on every aspect of the divorce. Divorce disputes may include:Child custody,Child support,Alimony,Post-separation support, andProperty distribution.One of the first directives of the court in a dispute over child custody and visitation is to refer the case to\u00a0mediation. Mediation can help divorcing parents resolve child custody issues and avoid the need to take their issues to court. Talk to your North Carolina divorce attorneys about mediation, collaborative divorce, and alternative ways to go through a divorce without having to take your divorce through the courts.North Carolina Divorce AttorneysAt Caulder & Valentine Law Firm, PLLC, we have helped individuals in divorce and custody disputes protect their rights and interests. Contact us today\u00a0in Shelby for a consultation."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Cost of Divorce in North Carolina","item":"https:\/\/www.cauldervalentine.com\/blog\/cost-of-divorce-in-north-carolina\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]