Divorce Cost Calculator 2026 — court fees and lawyer

The fixed court fee for a divorce petition is PLN 600. For a divorce without a fault ruling and without a lawyer, this is often the only cost. With a lawyer (approx. PLN 3,000–5,000) and property division, the total can range from a few hundred to several thousand zloty, depending on complexity.

The fixed fee for a divorce petition is PLN 600, regardless of the value of the estate. It is paid when filing the petition. If the court does not rule on fault and the parties agree, the court refunds half the fee (PLN 300) after the case ends. With a fault ruling, costs rise.

The fee of a lawyer or legal adviser in a divorce is usually PLN 3,000–5,000 for an uncomplicated case (without a fault ruling). With a fault ruling, child disputes or property division, costs can rise to PLN 8,000–15,000 and more. Rates depend on the city and the firm's reputation.

For an amicable property division the court fee is PLN 300. For a contested division the fee is PLN 1,000 (statutory PLN 1,000 when there is a dispute over the method of division). Expert witness costs for valuing real estate or businesses may also apply. Division can also be done before a notary, where the fee depends on the value of the estate.

A divorce with a fault ruling means the court determines which spouse is at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. Such proceedings are longer, more costly (more hearings, witnesses, evidence) and do not qualify for the half-fee refund. A fault ruling matters, among other things, for spousal maintenance claims.

Yes. In divorce cases there is no mandatory legal representation before the regional court of first instance — you can act on your own. For an amicable divorce, without a fault ruling and without disputes over children or property, handling the case yourself is realistic and saves the cost of a representative.

Yes. If the court grants a divorce without a fault ruling at the joint request of the parties, it refunds half of the petition fee (PLN 300) after the judgment becomes final. With a fault ruling no such refund applies. This is an additional incentive for spouses to reach agreement.

An amicable divorce without a fault ruling can end at a single hearing, within a few months of filing the petition. A divorce with a fault ruling, custody disputes and property division usually takes from a year to several years. The time depends on the workload of the given regional court.

Yes. A person whose financial situation does not allow them to cover the costs without detriment to supporting themselves and their family may apply for exemption from court costs. A statement of financial status must be attached. The court may grant a partial or full exemption, including from the petition fee.

No. The calculator gives indicative divorce costs based on fixed court fees and typical representative rates in Poland 2026. It does not include expert witness costs, mediation, notary fees or atypical situations. For a specific case, consult a lawyer or legal adviser specialising in family law.