Divorce cost estimator

Build up a realistic budget for an uncontested or contested divorce from your attorney’s estimate, advocate, expert, mediation and court costs — with VAT and a buffer for the unexpected.

Updated 5 November 2026 Estimate VAT: 15%

Your details

Type of divorce

Professional fees (from quotes)

Disbursements

Range

Your result

Estimated total cost EstimateR18 750
Indicative budget range Your assumptionR18 750 – R22 500Including a 20% buffer

Breakdown

Attorney Estimate
R15 000
VAT on professional fees (15%)
R2 250
Sheriff, court and other costs Estimate
R1 500
Total
R18 750
  • These are your estimates, not official or fixed fees. Legal fees vary widely by practitioner, region and how quickly the parties agree.
  • Uncontested divorces with a signed settlement agreement are usually the quickest and cheapest route.
  • Without minor children, the process is usually simpler.
  • If you cannot afford a lawyer, Legal Aid South Africa may be able to help, and you can also approach the Regional Court yourself for an uncontested divorce.

How the estimate is built

Professional fees = attorney + advocate + experts + mediation Total = professional fees + VAT (if added) + sheriff, court and other costs Budget range = total to total × (1 + buffer)

None of these amounts are official or fixed fees — they come from your quotes and assumptions. The buffer is your own allowance for the unexpected (20% for uncontested and 50% for contested by default).

Worked examples

Uncontested divorce, no children

With a settlement agreement in place, costs are mainly the attorney’s fee, VAT and sheriff and court costs.

Estimated total cost EstimateR18 750
Indicative budget range Your assumptionR18 750 – R22 500Including a 20% buffer

Breakdown

Attorney Estimate
R15 000
VAT on professional fees (15%)
R2 250
Sheriff, court and other costs Estimate
R1 500
Total
R18 750

Open this example in the calculator

Contested divorce with children and property

Contested matters involve advocates, experts and court time, so costs are much higher and harder to predict.

Estimated total cost EstimateR270 500
Indicative budget range Your assumptionR270 500 – R405 750Including a 50% buffer

Breakdown

Attorney Estimate
R120 000
Advocate Estimate
R80 000
Experts Estimate
R30 000
VAT on professional fees (15%)
R34 500
Sheriff, court and other costs Estimate
R6 000
Total
R270 500

Open this example in the calculator

Frequently asked questions

How much does a divorce cost in South Africa?

It varies enormously. An uncontested divorce with a signed settlement is usually far cheaper than a contested one, which can run for months or years. Ask attorneys for written estimates and use this tool to add up the full picture.

What is the difference between contested and uncontested?

In an uncontested divorce both spouses agree on everything — assets, maintenance and the care of children — and sign a settlement agreement. In a contested divorce the court must decide the disputed issues.

Can I get a divorce without a lawyer?

For uncontested divorces, some people handle the process themselves at the Regional Court with the help of court staff. Legal Aid South Africa can assist people who qualify.

What does the Family Advocate do?

Where there are minor children, the Office of the Family Advocate checks that the arrangements are in the children’s best interests, and may assess the family in disputes.

Sources and references

  1. Department of Justice — Divorce
  2. Legal Aid South Africa
  3. Office of the Family Advocate