An uncontested divorce in Ontario costs $999 + HST in legal fees, plus $669 in court fees.
The total cost of a divorce in Ontario has two components: mandatory court filing fees and legal fees. For a simple uncontested divorce, the total cost is typically $1,797.87, made up of $999 + HST in legal fees ($1,128.87) and $669 in mandatory court fees.
A contested divorce where the parties disagree on parenting, support, or property is billed hourly and typically costs $5,000 to $25,000+, depending on the number of issues in dispute and how far the matter proceeds before resolution. Contested matters commonly take one to three years to conclude, compared with four to six months for an uncontested divorce.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice charges a total of $669 in filing fees for every divorce application. These fees are prescribed under O. Reg. 293/92 and apply uniformly across Ontario, whether you hire a lawyer or represent yourself. They are paid in two installments as your case progresses:
If you are receiving Ontario Works or ODSP, or meet the low-income thresholds, you may qualify for a Fee Waiver Request — covered in detail under the cheapest ways to get a divorce below.
For a simple uncontested divorce, Shaikh Law Firm offers a flat legal fee of $999 + HST ($1,128.87). This covers preparation, filing, and management of the entire process from start to finish, including drafting all court documents, submitting them to the court, responding to any judicial objections, and obtaining your Divorce Order.
Court fees of $669 and disbursements are payable separately, as set out above. There are no hourly charges and no surprises: the flat fee applies to a simple uncontested divorce in Ontario where both spouses agree on all issues and only a divorce is being claimed.
Contested divorces are billed hourly, and total fees depend on the issues in dispute, typically $5,000 to $25,000+. The comparison below shows how the two paths differ.
| Feature | Uncontested Divorce | Contested Divorce |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Fees | $999 + HST (flat fee) | $5,000 – $60,000+ |
| Court Fees | $669 (mandatory) | $669 (mandatory) |
| Billing Model | Fixed | Hourly |
| Timeline | 4–6 months | 1–3 years or more |
| Conflict Level | Low | Moderate to High |
| Best Suited For | Parties in full agreement | Disputed parenting, support, or property |
The cheapest way to get a divorce in Ontario is to keep the divorce uncontested. The moment a divorce becomes contested, legal fees multiply. Ranked from lowest cost, here are the four most economical routes:
If you and your spouse are on speaking terms, filing a joint divorce application is the cheapest lawyer-managed option. Both spouses sign the application together, so there is no need to serve documents, eliminating the process server cost of roughly $100–$150. Your total is the $999 + HST flat legal fee plus $669 in court fees.
Where a joint application isn’t practical, a simple uncontested divorce filed by one spouse remains a flat $999 + HST in legal fees, plus court fees and the cost of serving your spouse. It is fully managed by our firm from drafting to Divorce Order.
You can prepare and file the divorce application yourself and pay only the $669 in court fees plus disbursements. This is the cheapest route on paper, but errors in the forms, service, or supporting affidavits are the most common cause of rejected applications and months of delay. Our do-it-yourself divorce Ontario guide walks through the process step by step so you can decide whether self-filing suits your situation.
Ontario is not entirely free for anyone, but the $669 in court fees can be waived. If you receive Ontario Works or ODSP, or your household income falls below the government’s low-income thresholds, you may file a Fee Waiver Request with the court. If approved, the court filing fees are waived in full — meaning a self-represented applicant who qualifies can obtain a divorce at little to no cost beyond disbursements such as the $25 Divorce Certificate.
Disbursements are out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties. They are always stated separately from legal fees. Beyond the flat fee and court fees, budget for:
The total bill for your divorce in Ontario is often a direct result of how you handle the process. Here are three ways to keep your divorce within the $999 + HST flat fee — explained further in our complete guide to uncontested divorce in Ontario:
Finalize a Separation Agreement First: The court will not grant a divorce if child support or property issues are unresolved. Resolving these through a Separation Agreement before filing ensures your case remains “uncontested.”
Opt for a Joint Application: If you and your spouse are on speaking terms, you can file a Joint Divorce. This eliminates the cost of a process server ($100–$150) because both parties sign the documents together.
Organize Your Documentation: Court delays often happen due to missing marriage certificates or incorrect names. Ensure your marriage certificate is the “Long-Form” version and matches your ID exactly.
Experienced Divorce Lawyers
Legal Fees for our lawyers are affordable
Skill and knowledge across GTA family courts
Navigating a divorce is as much about peace of mind as it is about the law. We provide a streamlined, lawyer-managed process designed to move you forward without the stress of unpredictable hourly billing.
Experienced Representation: Our lawyers appear regularly in courts across the GTA, including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, and Barrie.
Affordable Transparency: We offer one of Ontario’s most competitive flat-fee packages at $999 + HST.
Comprehensive Service: Unlike “form-only” services, we handle everything from drafting and filing to responding to judicial objections.
Our Simple Divorce Package Includes:
Drafting all mandatory court documents (Form 8A, Affidavits, etc.).
Managing all court filings and interactions with the Registrar.
Assistance with obtaining your final Divorce Order and Certificate.
Disclaimer
Our all-inclusive flat legal fees of $999 + HST is only for an uncontested divorce in Ontario are based on filing a claim for divorce only for parties based in Ontario. If you have additional claims, then you may need a separation agreement before filing for an uncontested divorce, or you may need to file a contested divorce. Similarly, if the other party files a claim in response to your application for a simple divorce, your application becomes a contested divorce.
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Our step-by-step guide explains how we manage your uncontested divorce from filing to final order for a $999 flat fee.
What is a Divorce application in Ontario?
A divorce application in Ontario is a formal legal document filed by one or both spouses seeking to dissolve their marriage under the jurisdiction of Ontario law by way of filing Form 8A for uncontested Divorce and Form 8 General for contested Divorce. This application initiates the legal process of divorce and outlines the grounds on which the petitioner is requesting the dissolution of the marriage.
What if my spouse and I do not agree on all issues?
Our services are aimed at uncontested divorces where both parties agree on all matters. If there are disagreements, we recommend seeking legal advice or mediation services to resolve these issues before proceeding with the online divorce.
We offer legal services for separation agreements as well as contested divorce services as well, you can request a free consultation.
We serve clients across Greater Toronto Area and commonly appear at the following court locations.
Divorce Lawyer Toronto | Divorce Lawyer Mississauga | Divorce Lawyer Brampton |Divorce Lawyer Hamilton | Divorce Lawyer Barrie