What does a divorce cost in New Jersey?

It depends almost entirely on how you resolve it. A contested divorce that involves discovery, negotiation, and court appearances commonly costs $15,000 to $35,000 per spouse, and a high-conflict case that goes to trial can exceed $50,000 to $100,000 per spouse. A complete mediated divorce typically runs $3,000 to $8,000 total, shared between the two of you rather than duplicated by two separate attorneys. Most mediated cases finish in three to five months, against 12 to 18 months for a contested one. The single biggest driver of cost isn't your assets or your paperwork. It's conflict, and how long the process stays open. Read the full cost breakdown, including court filing fees and free court-connected mediation.