How Much Does a Divorce Cost in South Carolina in 2026?
How much does a divorce cost in South Carolina? If you file it yourself and agree, it costs about $200 to $500. With a lawyer on a simple case, it runs $1,500 to $5,000. A contested divorce costs $10,000 to $30,000 or more. The filing fee is a flat $150 in every county.
The cost of divorce in SC depends on two things. One is whether you and your spouse agree. The other is a big South Carolina rule: the cheap no-fault path needs a full year of living in separate homes before you can even file. That year shapes the timeline more than the money.
This guide breaks down the South Carolina filing fee and the cost by type. It also shows how to keep your divorce affordable. Every number here is a 2026 number. The real total depends on your path and your lawyer.
Quick Answer: South Carolina Divorce Costs at a Glance
Here is the average cost of divorce in SC in 2026, at a glance. The filing fee is the same in every county. The total depends on your path, not just the fee. An agreed divorce stays low, while a court fight climbs fast.
| Cost factor | South Carolina (2026) |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $150 flat, every county |
| Uncontested total (DIY) | $200 to $500 |
| Average with a lawyer | $4,000 to $12,000 |
| Contested divorce | $10,000 to $30,000 or more |
| Typical timeline | 1-year separation before filing for no-fault; about 2 to 4 months after filing once separated, 9 to 18 months or more contested |
Filing Fees and Court Costs in South Carolina
The South Carolina divorce filing fee is a flat $150 in every county. You pay it when you file the Summons and Complaint for Divorce in Family Court. The responding spouse pays no fee to file an Answer. Filing a motion later costs $25 each.
The cost to file for divorce in SC includes service. Service by the sheriff or a private process server costs about $50 to $100. Certified mail with a signed receipt is also allowed. A cooperating spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service to skip formal service.
You may be able to skip the fee. Low-income filers can file a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, which means filing without paying. That is Form SCCA 405F, and it asks the court to waive the $150 fee.
The state offers a free do-it-yourself packet. The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a free Simple Divorce Packet for the one-year separation case. You can also see our guide to divorce filing fees by state. South Carolina has no legal separation action, but you can file for separate maintenance, which settles support while you stay married.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in South Carolina by Type?
How much a divorce costs in SC depends on the type you choose. A simple agreed case costs far less than a court fight. The table below shows the typical total for each path. Your path is set by how much you agree.
| Divorce type | Typical total cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| DIY uncontested (file yourself) | $200 to $500 |
| Uncontested with a lawyer | $1,500 to $5,000 |
| Mediated divorce | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Contested divorce | $10,000 to $30,000 or more |
An uncontested divorce in SC that you file yourself is the lowest option. If you use the free packet, you pay close to the filing fee. The average cost of divorce in South Carolina climbs once a lawyer or a court fight is involved. The cost of an uncontested divorce in South Carolina is hard to beat, and you can see our uncontested divorce guide.
What Affects the Cost of Divorce in South Carolina
A few things affect the cost of divorce in SC. The one-year separation rule shapes it first. You must live in separate homes for a full year for the no-fault path. Running two households during that year costs real money, even before you file.
Conflict is the next big factor. The more you fight, the more lawyer time you pay for. Children add cost too. Both spouses file a Financial Declaration, and a custody fight can bring in a Guardian ad Litem, a person the court appoints to speak for the child.
Property division matters as well. South Carolina uses equitable apportionment, which means the court splits marital property fairly, not always 50/50. Each spouse keeps their separate property. In contested cases, the court also requires mediation before trial, which adds a step.
Location changes the price too. Charleston and Columbia lawyers charge the most. Smaller areas cost less. A lawyer’s hourly rate reflects the local market.
How to Keep Divorce Costs Down in South Carolina
You can keep the cost of divorce in SC low. The biggest saving comes from being ready the day your separation year ends. A few simple moves make a real difference. Here are the best ones.
- Use the free court packet. The Simple Divorce Packet handles the one-year no-fault case without paid services.
- Sign a settlement agreement early. Settle everything during the separation year, so you can file the day it ends.
- Use mediation to settle. If anything is contested, use the required mediation to avoid a trial.
- Use a flat-fee or limited-scope lawyer. Pay only for a review of your agreement, not the whole case.
- Have your spouse sign an Acceptance of Service. This skips the sheriff or process server fee.
- File the fee waiver form. If your income is low, ask the court to waive the $150 fee.
A cheap uncontested divorce in South Carolina is very doable this way. For more ways to save, read our cheap divorce guide. Free help is available at South Carolina Legal Services.
South Carolina Divorce Filing Steps (Summary)
Filing for divorce in South Carolina follows a clear path. It is simplest when your case is agreed. Here are the main steps in order.
- Complete the separation year. Live in separate homes for one full year for the no-fault ground. Meet the residency rule, which is 3 months if both spouses live in the state.
- File and pay the fee. File the Summons and Complaint for Divorce in Family Court and pay the $150 fee. Or file the fee waiver form.
- Serve your spouse. Use the sheriff, a process server, certified mail, or a signed Acceptance of Service. Your spouse has 30 days to answer.
- Settle the terms. Swap notarized Financial Declarations. Settle property, support, and custody in a written agreement.
- Finish required steps. Complete mediation if anything is contested. Finish any parenting class if you have minor children.
- Request the final hearing. Once your ground is proven, ask for the hearing. In agreed cases, the hearing is short.
- Finalize the divorce. The judge signs the Final Decree of Divorce, and the divorce is final.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Bottom Line
How much a divorce costs in SC ranges from $200 for an agreed DIY case to $30,000 or more for a court fight. The filing fee is just $150. The biggest cost lever is finishing the separation year with a signed agreement ready to file. Agree with your spouse, and you keep the court cost low.
To estimate your own number, try our divorce cost calculator. You can also read our pillar guide on how much a divorce costs.
