Rhode Island Divorce Cost Calculator
Estimate the real cost of divorce in Rhode Island — filing fees, attorney costs, and totals by path. Updated for 2026.
Last reviewed July 2026 · Free · Nothing you enter is stored
Estimate the real cost of divorce in Rhode Island — filing fees, attorney costs, and totals by path. Updated for 2026.
Last reviewed July 2026 · Free · Nothing you enter is stored
The single biggest variable is conflict. An uncontested divorce — where you agree on property, support, and parenting — costs a small fraction of a contested one, because attorney hours, discovery, and court appearances are where the money goes. At Rhode Island's average family-law rate of ~$369/hour, every disputed issue adds hours quickly. Note that Rhode Island has a mandatory waiting period of ~5 months (final decree ~3 months after hearing) before a divorce can be finalized.
The court filing fee in Rhode Island is typically around $120 (Even uncontested divorces take roughly 5 months because final judgment cannot enter until 3 months after the hearing.). Fee waivers are generally available for filers who can't afford it.
Family-law attorneys in Rhode Island average around $369/hour. Uncontested divorces typically run $1,500–$3,800 total; contested divorces $10,400–$22,400 or more.
Rhode Island requires 1 year of residency before filing for divorce.
An uncontested DIY filing: agree on everything, use the court's forms (many Rhode Island courts provide self-help packets), and pay only the filing fee (~$120). Mediation is the next cheapest path when you need help reaching agreement — typically a fraction of the cost of two attorneys litigating.