What are the costs of divorce proceedings?

What the Law Says

German law does not set fixed flat fees for divorce — instead, costs are calculated under the Court Costs Act (GKG) and the Lawyers’ Fees Act (RVG), based on the financial circumstances of the spouses. While BGB § 1564 confirms that divorce requires a court judgment, it does not address costs; those rules come from separate statutes.

Court fees depend on the 'value in dispute' (Streitwert), which for divorce is generally set at three times the couple’s combined monthly net income — unless property division or maintenance claims significantly raise it.

Attorney fees are regulated by the RVG and scale with the Streitwert. Even in uncontested divorces, representation is strongly advised — and often required if children or complex assets are involved.

Each spouse typically bears their own attorney fees and half the court fees — unless the court orders one party to pay more, e.g., due to misconduct or vastly unequal resources.

Statutory Text

Eine Ehe kann nur durch richterliche Entscheidung auf Antrag eines oder beider Ehegatten geschieden werden. Die Ehe ist mit der Rechtskraft der Entscheidung aufgelöst. Die Voraussetzungen, unter denen die Scheidung begehrt werden kann, ergeben sich aus den folgenden Vorschriften.

— BGB § 1564 — German Civil Code

What to Do

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