JustLegal

Family Law & Domestic Relations

Divorce & Separation (Uncontested vs. Contested)

Find a relevant starting point, connect with someone who handles this issue, and prepare the facts you want them to review.

Ways to get help with this issue

Compare scope before you choose a next step

Start with the level of help you want: a free written answer, a document or project review, or an attorney relationship. The listing is not a promise that a provider will accept your matter.

Hello Divorce

$400 (DIY) / $1,500 (Pro with filing)

Step-by-step uncontested divorce workflow with court form generation

Not a substitute for attorney advice · No court appearance included
Scope, costs & limitations

Service: Guided Divorce Platform

Breaks uncontested divorce into structured milestones: initial petition, financial disclosures, settlement agreement, and final decree. Pro tier includes a legal specialist managing court filings.

May be useful for

  • Spouses who agree on property division and child custody
  • Avoiding a $5,000+ retainer per spouse
  • Having filing paperwork verified before court submission

Not included

  • Contested court trials or high-conflict disputes
  • Mandatory state court filing fees ($300–$450 depending on state)

Directory-listed price: $400 (DIY) / $1,500 (Pro with filing) · Billing: one-time. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.

Only works if both parties are willing to reach an agreement. If your spouse hires an aggressive trial lawyer, this software is not enough.

When another kind of help may be needed

  • domestic-violence-active-threat
  • hidden-assets-or-fraud
  • contested-custody-battle
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
Visit website

UpCounsel

$150–$350 / hr (or fixed task quotes)

Post your document to receive competitive bids from vetted attorneys

Attorney involvement listed · No court appearance included
Scope, costs & limitations

Service: Attorney Project Marketplace

Post your specific document (e.g. lease, settlement offer, severance agreement, complaint). Independent attorneys review the scope and submit fixed or hourly bids.

May be useful for

  • Having an actual attorney redline a 10-to-25-page document
  • Getting custom revisions tailored to your state law
  • Comparing attorney backgrounds and quotes before hiring

Not included

  • Immediate free answers (this is a paid attorney marketplace)
  • Trial representation unless agreed in the project scope

Directory-listed price: $150–$350 / hr (or fixed task quotes). Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.

You agree directly on the price with the attorney you choose. Funds are held in escrow until work is delivered.

When another kind of help may be needed

  • court-deadline-under-24-hours
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
Visit website

Access Legal

No public consumer price listed

Explore an attorney network for a defined legal task

Not a substitute for attorney advice · No court appearance included
Scope, costs & limitations

Service: Attorney network / limited-scope inquiry

Access Legal presents an attorney-network and client-generation model. Ask whether a participating lawyer can help with a defined task in your jurisdiction; that lawyer sets eligibility, scope and fees.

May be useful for

  • Starting a conversation about one defined legal task
  • Asking a participating attorney about document review or a hearing
  • Comparing a limited task with full representation

Not included

  • A public fixed price or guaranteed attorney match
  • A promise of court appearance or an attorney-client relationship
  • Ongoing case management unless a lawyer separately agrees to it

Directory-listed price: No public consumer price listed · Billing: one-time. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.

This link goes to Access Legal's attorney-network site. It is not a checkout for a guaranteed unbundled service. Confirm who will contact you, conflicts screening, scope, fees and what information is safe to share before agreeing to anything.

When another kind of help may be needed

  • urgent-hearing
  • need-guaranteed-representation
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-23. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
Visit website
Ask one focused question →Have a document reviewed →Compare every service type →

Where are you right now?

Choose the situation that sounds closest. You can also go straight to the contacts below.

Useful to have nearby: Your location, any filed papers, important dates and questions about property or support.

People & services to contact

Each website opens after an external-site notice

Find legal aid near you

Free if eligible & accepted

Search for local civil legal aid offices. Each office decides which issues and applicants it can assist.

Civil legal aid does not replace criminal defense counsel.
Visit website

WomensLaw · help for survivors

Free directory

Find advocates, shelters and legal resources by state, including information about protection, custody and divorce.

For survivors of abuse. Individual organizations decide eligibility and available assistance.
Visit website

Understand more when you’re ready

About this legal issue

Navigate ending a marriage without draining your life savings. Compare self-guided no-fault divorce, mediated agreements, unbundled lawyer representation, and how to protect assets and custody.

Option 0: How to File an Uncontested Divorce for $0

Every state supreme court or judicial council publishes free official Dissolution of Marriage petition and settlement packets online. If you and your spouse agree on terms, paying a lawyer $3,000 to fill out standard forms is unnecessary.

Download State Dissolution Packet

Search your state's judicial portal for 'Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (No Children / With Children).' It includes all required summons, financial disclosure forms, and proposed decree.

Find State Family Court Forms →

Complete Mandatory Financial Disclosures

Both spouses must complete a sworn Schedule of Assets and Debts and Income & Expense Declaration. Transparency is mandatory; hiding accounts can invalidate the decree later.

Draft Asset Inventory →

Draft Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA)

Clearly document who keeps the vehicle, how joint debts are divided, and how bank accounts are settled. Sign before a notary public.

Build Settlement Agreement →

File with Fee Waiver (If Applicable)

State court filing fees range from $200 to $450. If you have modest income, file an In Forma Pauperis application to waive 100% of filing charges.

Learn Fee Waiver Process →

Official family court packets are freely provided by your county court. Commercial websites often charge $300 for the exact same PDF fillable forms.

Key Asset Division Principles: Community Property vs. Equitable Distribution

Community Property States (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI): All assets and debts acquired during the marriage are presumed to be owned 50/50 equally by both spouses, regardless of whose name is on the title.

Equitable Distribution States (remaining 41 states): Courts divide marital property 'fairly and equitably,' which does not necessarily mean an exact 50/50 mathematical split. Factors include length of marriage, earning capacities, and non-financial contributions.

Separate Property: Assets owned prior to marriage, gifts received individually, and inheritances kept in separate unmingled accounts generally remain separate property.

What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce?

In an uncontested divorce, both parties agree on every issue (property, debt, custody, support) and submit a signed settlement agreement to the judge for approval without a trial. In a contested divorce, parties cannot agree, requiring formal discovery, motions, hearings, and a trial where a judge decides.

How long does a divorce take to finalize?

Most states have mandatory statutory 'cooling off' waiting periods: California requires 6 months from service; Texas requires 60 days; Florida has a 20-day waiting period; other states range from 30 to 180 days.

JustLegal provides free educational information and organization tools. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice or representation. Providers decide eligibility, availability, fees, and whether to accept a matter.