Divorce costs (Scheidungskosten) mainly consist of court fees and lawyer fees. How much you ultimately pay depends above all on the value of the proceedings (Verfahrenswert), which the family court sets, and on whether the spouses reach an agreement. This guide explains the rules that apply and shows where costs arise and how they can be reduced.
Short answer: Court fees for a divorce are based on a value of the proceedings of at least 3,000 euros and at most 1 million euros. At first instance the fee factor is 2.0, and it drops to 0.5 if the application is withdrawn or the case ends in a court settlement. Lawyer fees come on top. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Costs consist of court fees, lawyer fees and, where applicable, costs for related matters such as maintenance or pension equalisation.
- In divorce proceedings the value of the case lies between 3,000 euros and 1 million euros and is set by the court at its discretion.
- The net income of both spouses over three months is used to assess the financial circumstances.
- The court fee at first instance uses a fee factor of 2.0 and falls to 0.5 in certain cases.
- Anyone with low income can apply for legal aid for costs (Verfahrenskostenhilfe). The court decides on the application.
Which costs arise in a divorce?
A divorce is not a single item but a bundle of several cost blocks. Court fees relate to the divorce itself. Lawyer fees follow the value of the matter. Related matters, which are decided together with the divorce, are assessed separately. The table below classifies the blocks.
| Cost block | What it depends on | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Court fees for the divorce | Value of the case and fee factor 2.0 (cost schedule item 1110) | The court fee statement and the value stated in the order |
| Reduction | Fee drops to 0.5 (item 1111), for example on withdrawal or settlement | Whether the conditions apply in your case |
| Lawyer fees | Statutory fees under the lawyers remuneration act (RVG) or a fee agreement | Whether an agreement departs from the statutory rate |
| Related matters | Maintenance, pension equalisation or household goods, depending on the case | Which related matters are pending |
How is the value of a divorce case determined?
The value of the proceedings is the basis for all court fees. Under the German Family Court Costs Act (FamGKG), the value in divorce matters is set at the court’s discretion. The court takes all circumstances of the individual case into account, in particular the scope and importance of the matter and the financial and income situation of the spouses. The value may not be below 3,000 euros or above 1 million euros.
For the income situation, the net income of the spouses earned in three months is used. This is a benchmark, not a fixed formula. Whether assets or special circumstances raise or lower the value is decided by the court in each case, so you can only roughly estimate a fixed figure in advance.
How is the court fee calculated?
The court fee is derived from the fee table and multiplied by a fee factor. For proceedings in general at first instance, item 1110 of the cost schedule sets a fee factor of 2.0, which means twice the basic fee. Item 1111 provides a reduction to 0.5 if the proceedings end, among other things, by withdrawal of the application, by a court settlement or by resolution of the main matter.
Assumption: the amount from the fee table for your value of the proceedings is 300 euros. At a fee factor of 2.0 the court fee would then be 600 euros. If the case ends in a settlement and the reduction to 0.5 applies, the amount is 150 euros. These figures only illustrate the principle and are not a calculation for your case.
Who pays the court fees in a divorce?
How the court fees are divided between the spouses is decided by the court in the divorce order. There is no blanket rule that applies in every case. If you want to know the split, read the order and its cost decision carefully and ask if anything is unclear.
If you have a low income or little property, you can apply for legal aid for costs (Verfahrenskostenhilfe). This aid does not necessarily cover everything, but is granted based on personal and economic circumstances. The application is made to the competent family court, and the decision depends on a check of income and assets.
What does a lawyer cost in a divorce?
In divorce matters there is generally a requirement to be represented by a lawyer, so lawyer fees almost always arise. Statutory fees follow the lawyers remuneration act (RVG) and the value of the matter. Many lawyers also agree a fee that may differ from the statutory rate. Such an agreement must be made in writing and should be compared before work begins.
It pays to look closely at lawyer costs as well. Ask about the expected fees, about expenses and about whether related matters are billed separately. This prevents surprises when the invoice arrives.
What changes when children or maintenance are involved?
Children and maintenance affect the costs because they can be decided as related matters. Custody and access are generally assessed under their own rules rather than through the value of the divorce itself. Our guide on child maintenance (in German) shows how maintenance is calculated using the table amounts.
Debts, bank accounts and loans also need to be settled after a separation. These tasks are not court fees, but they often create costs of their own, for example for valuations or notary appointments. Plan for these items from the start.
How can the costs be reduced?
The most effective lever is an agreement. If the proceedings end through withdrawal or a court settlement, the court fee can drop to 0.5. The reduction does not apply if a final decision other than an acknowledgement or waiver judgment came earlier. An out-of-court agreement on maintenance, assets and household goods also saves time and lawyer fees.
Compare lawyer offers and ask specifically about the fee agreement. If your income is tight, check legal aid for costs in good time, before costs arise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum cost of a divorce?
The statutory value of the proceedings in divorce matters starts at 3,000 euros. This leads to a court fee that depends on the fee factor. Lawyer fees come on top and depend on the value of the matter and on any agreement.
Do I have to be represented by a lawyer?
In divorce matters there is generally a requirement to be represented. Both spouses therefore usually need a lawyer. An agreed solution does not change this, but it reduces the effort involved.
Does the state pay for a divorce if I earn little?
Not directly, but legal aid for costs can cover the costs in full or in part if the personal and economic requirements are met. The court checks your documents to decide whether this applies to you.
Is a settlement worth it financially?
A settlement can reduce the court fee to the fee factor 0.5, provided the conditions are met. It also saves time and reduces the risk of a long dispute over related matters.
Who decides how the costs are split?
The court decides on the division of costs in the divorce order. The rules are set out in procedural law. If you have doubts, a conversation with a lawyer who specialises in family law helps.
What to do now
- Ask in advance for the expected value of the proceedings and the court fee.
- Agree in writing with your lawyer how fees are billed and which related matters are included.
- Check in good time whether you can apply for legal aid for costs.
- Settle maintenance, assets and debts out of court where that is possible.
Related reading
- Family, partnership and money: the overview for young adults
- Divorce and money: what young couples should know beforehand (in German)
- Pension equalisation on divorce (in German)
- Debts after separation: dividing accounts and loans (in German)
Sources: Section 43 FamGKG, value of the proceedings in divorce matters (in German, gesetze-im-internet.de) and Annex 1 to the FamGKG, cost schedule items 1110 and 1111 (in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
