South Carolina Divorce Cost Estimator

A South Carolina divorce costs between $3,000 for an uncontested case and $12,600 for a contested case, based on 2022 statewide data. The court filing fee is $150 under South Carolina Code Title 20, Chapter 3, with additional costs for attorney fees averaging $310 per hour, mandatory mediation at $150–$400 per hour, and process service at $50–$100. Contested cases involving custody or property disputes can exceed $20,000.

The South Carolina family court filing fee for divorce is $150, paid when you submit your Summons and Complaint for Divorce to the Clerk of Court. The defendant pays no fee to file a response or answer. Residents who cannot afford the fee may file Form SCCA/400 (Motion and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis) to request a fee waiver from the court.

South Carolina divorce attorneys charge a median hourly rate of $310, with most firms billing between $200 and $400 per hour. Initial retainer fees typically range from $2,500 to $5,000, though complex contested cases may require $10,000 or more upfront. Some South Carolina attorneys offer flat-fee uncontested divorce packages ranging from $1,000 to $2,500.

South Carolina courts grant fee waivers for divorce filing through Form SCCA/400, the Motion and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. You must demonstrate financial hardship by providing income, expense, and asset information to the court. If approved, the $150 filing fee and potentially other court costs are waived. The form is available from the South Carolina Judicial Branch website or your local clerk of court.

South Carolina requires mediation for all contested family court cases under the South Carolina Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules (SCADR), effective statewide since 2016. Court-appointed mediators charge approximately $200 per hour, while private mediators charge $150 to $400 per hour for sessions lasting 2 to 5 hours. Under Rule 9(c) of SCADR, mediation costs are split equally between the parties unless otherwise agreed or ordered by the court.

An uncontested divorce in South Carolina costs a median of $3,000, including the $150 filing fee, attorney fees, and related expenses. Couples who agree on all issues — property division, custody, and support — can use flat-fee attorney packages ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. Self-represented filers pay as little as $150 to $300 total, covering only the filing fee and process server costs.

Beyond filing and attorney fees, South Carolina divorces incur several additional costs: mandatory parenting education classes at $25 to $100 per parent, process server fees of $50 to $100, and mandatory mediation at $150 to $400 per hour for contested cases. Custody disputes may require a guardian ad litem at $1,500 to $5,000 or a custody evaluation at $3,000 to $10,000. Real estate appraisals and business valuations add $300 to $5,000 depending on complexity.

South Carolina allows you to file for divorce without an attorney, known as filing pro se. An uncontested pro se divorce costs approximately $150 to $300, covering the filing fee and service of process. The South Carolina Judicial Branch website provides self-help resources and forms. However, cases involving contested custody, significant assets, or complex property division benefit from legal representation given South Carolina's equitable distribution requirements under Title 20.