Where our figures come from
South Africa has no official price list for a divorce. These are prices and estimates that others have published. We read them in November 2026.
Published figures, no practitioner reviewWhat these figures are, and are not
- Each figure is a range that the named source published. We did not work it out ourselves.
- They are not quotes. Ask any professional for a written fee estimate before you instruct them.
- No legal practitioner has reviewed them for us.
- Naming a source is not a recommendation. No source has paid to appear here, and none can.
- Other published ranges differ. Where a figure has no upper end, the source gave none.
Cost
Uncontested divorce, legal costs
R8 000 to R20 000
Published by Business Report, 22 December 2025, quoting a family-law attorney
Contested divorce, total
R100 000 or more
Published by Grobbelaar Inc, 23 October 2025
Divorce mediation
R5 000 to R30 000
Published by Grobbelaar Inc, 23 October 2025
Family-law attorney, per hour
R500 to R3 000
Published by Burger Huyser Attorneys, published fee guide
Advocate's fees for a trial (often more)
R15 000 to R80 000
Published by Burger Huyser Attorneys, published cost guide
Time
Uncontested divorce
6 to 12 weeks
Published by Business Report, 22 December 2025, quoting a family-law attorney
Contested divorce
2 to 3 years, or more
Published by Legal Aid South Africa, self-help divorce guide
Mediated divorce
We have not found a published figure for how long a mediated divorce takes. It depends on how many sessions you need.
Maintenance application
The Maintenance Act sets no fixed period. It says the court must finish an enquiry as quickly as possible and keep postponements few and short (section 10). See the maintenance court guide.