The Cost of a Simple Divorce in Ontario: A Detailed Breakdown
A simple divorce in Ontario costs about $669 in court fees, with legal fees ranging from $1,000u2013$3,500. Options like DIY filing or unbundled legal services can lower costs and keep the process affordable. Visit at //divorcego.ca/
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2025 The Cost of a Simple Divorce in Ontario: A Detailed Breakdown DivorceGO.ca
Contents ............................................................................................................................... 1 Court Filing Fees for a Simple Divorce.............................................................. 3 Breakdown of Ontario s Standard Filing Fees................................................ 3 How and Where to Pay These Fees ................................................................ 3 Possible Fee Waivers for Low-Income Applicants ......................................... 3 Legal Fees for a Simple Divorce ........................................................................ 4 Average Lawyer Fees in Ontario for a Simple Divorce .................................. 4 Options for Unbundled Legal Services........................................................... 5 Comparing DIY vs. Lawyer-Assisted Filings ................................................. 5 Additional Costs to Consider ............................................................................. 6 Process Server Fees for Serving the Divorce Application............................... 6 Translation Costs for Foreign Documents (If Applicable) .............................. 7 Costs for Obtaining a Marriage Certificate or Replacement ........................... 7 Courier or Mailing Fees if Not Filing in Person ............................................. 7 Factors That Can Increase Costs ........................................................................ 8 Incorrect or Incomplete Applications Requiring Refiling ............................... 8 Delays Due to Missing Documents or Improper Service ................................ 8 Disputes Over Minor Issues That Turn a Simple Divorce into a Contested Matter ............................................................................................................ 8 Cost-Saving Tips for a Simple Divorce .............................................................. 9 Preparing Documents in Advance .................................................................. 9 Using Ontario s Online Divorce Application System (Where Available) ....... 9 Seeking Legal Advice Only for Complex Issues ...........................................10 Comparing the Cost of a Simple Divorce to Other Divorce Types ....................10 How Costs Differ from Joint Divorce Applications.......................................10 Cost Comparison with Contested Divorces ...................................................11 Why a Simple Divorce Is Often the Most Affordable Option ........................11
Visit DivorceGo Law Firm ...............................................................................12 Court Filing Fees for a Simple Divorce When pursuing a simple (uncontested) divorce in Ontario defined as one where only the divorce itself is requested, without additional issues like custody or support here s how the official costs shake out: Breakdown of Ontario s Standard Filing Fees Initial Application Fee: $224 is payable when you file the divorce application. Court Review / Divorce Order Fee: An additional $445 is due when the court reviews and issues the divorce order. These combine to a total court filing fee of $669 How and Where to Pay These Fees Payment Methods: Fees can be paid by cash, cheque, or money order, made payable to the Minister of Finance. Filing Location: Take your completed forms and payment to your local Superior Court of Justice. At the courthouse, you'll take a number at the clerk s counter and pay your fees at the clerk s desk. Possible Fee Waivers for Low-Income Applicants Courts in Ontario may reduce or waive these fees sometimes down to as little as $10 for those facing financial hardship. Here s how it works: Automatic Eligibility: You may qualify if your household s primary income comes from government assistance (e.g., Ontario
Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Old Age Security with GIS, CPP benefits). Income/Assets Thresholds: Even without government assistance, eligibility is possible if your household meets the following (all three must apply): Household Size Gross Annual Income Must Be Under 1 person $33,100 2 people $49,600 3 people $57,300 4 people $68,700 5+ people $80,200 Legal Fees for a Simple Divorce Average Lawyer Fees in Ontario for a Simple Divorce In Ontario, typical legal fees for an uncontested, simple divorce (where both spouses agree on all issues) range as follows: Flat-fee arrangements commonly fall between CAD $999 and $2,400 Broader estimates suggest hourly rates from $200 to $500 per hour, with flat fees for uncontested cases ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. One legal source breaks down average total costs including lawyer time and filings at $1,500 to $3,500, which aligns well with common flat-fee packages Another guide estimates that document preparation and filing with lawyer support costs roughly $1,500 $3,000 per person, bringing total basic divorce costs (including court fees) to around $999 $7,400.
In summary: Depending on the lawyers experience and billing model, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500 for legal fees in a simple, uncontested divorce in Ontario possibly higher if extra services are needed, or lower under flat-fee deals. Options for Unbundled Legal Services Ontario family lawyers increasingly offer unbundled (limited-scope) legal services, allowing clients to only pay for what they need making the process both affordable and flexible: Ontario firms, including Feldstein Family Law Group, offer limited-retainer options for tasks like document drafting, legal research, or coaching, while clients handle the rest. Unbundled services generally involve flat-fee pricing for discrete tasks rather than full representation ideal for clients comfortable managing parts of their case themselves. Lawyers across Ontario such as those at Kavita V. Bhagat Family Lawyers emphasise tailoring assistance based on affordability, likening it to hiring professionals only for specific needs. Some local offices (e.g., Niagara region s J. Leigh Daboll Law Office) explicitly market unbundled services, empowering you to select only the services you need and avoid paying for unnecessary extras. In practice: You could hire a lawyer solely to draft and review your documents, coach you for court, or prepare affidavits pausing full representation and significantly reducing your legal expenses. Comparing DIY vs. Lawyer-Assisted Filings Approach Pros Cons Lowest cost only Risk of errors, missed DIY
Approach Pros Cons (Self-representation) court filing fees deadlines or procedural issues. No legal guidance. ( $669). Full control over process. Professional ensure accuracy, navigate forms correctly, and handle filings efficiently. Mid-range cost. You get targeted help where needed while managing most yourself. Higher cost typically $1,000 to $3,500+ for a simple divorce. Lawyer-Assisted Requires more personal involvement. Must understand when and where to seek help. Unbundled Services Additional Costs to Consider While the court filing fees and potential lawyer s fees make up the bulk of expenses for a simple divorce in Ontario, there are other costs you may encounter depending on your circumstances. Process Server Fees for Serving the Divorce Application If your spouse is not jointly filing with you, Ontario rules require that the divorce application be personally served by someone other than yourself often a professional process server. Typical cost: $100 $200 within the same city, with higher fees for rush service or out-of-town locations. Process servers usually provide an affidavit of service, which you must file with the court.
Translation Costs for Foreign Documents (If Applicable) If your marriage certificate or other required documents are in a language other than English or French, you must provide a certified translation. Average cost: $40 $60 per page, depending on the language and turnaround time. Translators must be certified by a recognized professional body, such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO). Costs for Obtaining a Marriage Certificate or Replacement If you were married in Ontario but cannot locate your marriage certificate, you must order a replacement through ServiceOntario. Regular service: $15 (plus delivery fees) with processing in about 6 8 weeks. Premium service: $45 for faster delivery. If you were married outside Ontario, you ll need to contact the relevant vital statistics office in that jurisdiction, which may have higher fees. Courier or Mailing Fees if Not Filing in Person If you cannot attend the courthouse to file documents in person, you may need to send them by courier or tracked mail. Courier costs: $20 $50 within Ontario, depending on distance and delivery speed. Tracked Canada Post service is typically less expensive but may have longer delivery times.
Factors That Can Increase Costs Even when you start with a straightforward, uncontested divorce, certain issues can drive up expenses sometimes significantly. Incorrect or Incomplete Applications Requiring Refiling Submitting forms with errors, missing information, or incorrect filing procedures can result in the court rejecting your application. This may require you to refile and pay filing fees again. If a lawyer or document preparer is needed to correct the mistakes, you ll incur additional professional fees. Common errors include incomplete financial information, missing signatures, and incorrect court file numbers. Delays Due to Missing Documents or Improper Service If your marriage certificate is missing, your affidavit of service is incomplete, or your spouse was served incorrectly, your application can be put on hold. Delays often mean extra costs for process servers, couriers, and sometimes updated affidavits or re-service. In some cases, your lawyer may need to prepare additional materials or attend follow-up court dates. Disputes Over Minor Issues That Turn a Simple Divorce into a Contested Matter A divorce that starts uncontested can become contested if disagreements arise over even seemingly small matters, such as: Responsibility for court costs. Timing of the divorce order.
Requests for changes to property or support arrangements (even if they weren t originally part of the application). Once contested, you may face: Higher legal fees (hourly billing for correspondence, negotiation, or court appearances). Longer timelines and more procedural steps. A significant jump in overall costs, sometimes reaching several thousand dollars more. Cost-Saving Tips for a Simple Divorce A simple divorce in Ontario can be kept affordable with careful planning and the right approach. These strategies can help you avoid unnecessary expenses while ensuring your application is processed smoothly. Preparing Documents in Advance Gather all required paperwork before filing to avoid delays or costly refiling: Marriage certificate (or a certified copy). Proof of service documents (if serving your spouse). Any required translations for foreign-language documents. Completed divorce forms, double-checked for accuracy. By having everything ready, you reduce the risk of rejected applications or additional trips to the courthouse. Using Ontario s Online Divorce Application System (Where Available) Ontario offers an online divorce application portal through the Ministry of the Attorney General for eligible uncontested divorces. Benefits include reduced travel costs, faster submission, and step- by-step guidance.
You can pay court fees online and upload scanned documents directly. This option is available for sole or joint simple divorces in most regions, although certain exceptions apply (e.g., if you have unresolved issues regarding children or property). Seeking Legal Advice Only for Complex Issues If your case is straightforward, you may not need full legal representation: Use unbundled legal services to have a lawyer review your forms or advise you on specific questions. Reserve full legal assistance for complex matters, such as international marriages, jurisdictional issues, or financial settlements. This targeted approach ensures you get the benefit of legal expertise without paying for services you don t need. Comparing the Cost of a Simple Divorce to Other Divorce Types While a simple divorce is designed to be straightforward and cost- effective, it s helpful to understand how it compares to other types of divorce in Ontario. How Costs Differ from Joint Divorce Applications In a joint divorce, both spouses file the application together and agree on all terms. Court fees: The total court cost is generally the same as a sole simple divorce (around $669), but there s no need to hire a process server since both spouses sign and submit the forms together. Legal fees: Joint divorces may be slightly less expensive if both spouses share the cost of document preparation or use one lawyer for unbundled drafting services.
Cost savings come primarily from eliminating service-related expenses and reducing the chance of disputes. Cost Comparison with Contested Divorces A contested divorce where spouses disagree on issues like property, support, or parenting can cost many times more than a simple divorce. Average contested divorce costs in Ontario can range from $7,000 to $25,000+ per person, depending on the complexity and number of court appearances. Additional costs include extensive lawyer hours, multiple motions, case conferences, discovery, and potentially a trial. Contested cases often take months or years to resolve, increasing both legal and indirect costs. Why a Simple Divorce Is Often the Most Affordable Option A simple divorce is the most cost-effective route if: There are no disputes over property, support, or custody. The marriage has already been separated for at least one year. The parties are committed to resolving the matter without litigation. By avoiding court battles, limiting lawyer involvement, and streamlining document preparation, a simple divorce keeps costs predictable and significantly lower than other divorce types in Ontario.
Visit DivorceGo Law Firm Visit DivorceGO for experienced team of family lawyers, ready to assist you. For personalized assistance in Toronto, visit us at 45 Sheppard Ave E, Suite #500, or call us at (416) 792-5400. In Mississauga, you can find us at 2 Robert Speck Pkwy, Suite #750, or reach out by phone at (905) 949-1717.
