Estimate the budget for your divorce
There is no regulated price list: the cost depends first on the procedure. For an amicable divorce, the firm applies a fixed fee known in advance; for a contested divorce, fees are billed hourly, on a quote. The questionnaire below points you to the option suited to your situation.
What budget should you plan for your divorce?
Where do things stand between you and your spouse?
Your financial and family situation:
For an amicable divorce, the firm charges a fixed fee per spouse, known in advance.
Is fault alleged (adultery, violence, abandoning the family home)?
Signature Package — €570 + VAT per spouse
The most economical option: no children, no real estate, no income gap, separate-property regime, ready-made agreement. The budget is known in advance.
Add: about €50 including tax for the notary's deposit fee (€41.20 excluding tax, a regulated fee payable once for the couple) · 20% VAT on fees · +€1,200 + VAT for a court-approved amicable divorce: a minor child who asks to be heard, or a spouse abroad who cannot travel for the signing. Where a spouse is under a legal protective measure, French law rules out a mutual-consent divorce (Articles 229-2 and 249-4 of the Civil Code): the case falls outside these packages and is billed hourly. A foreign element does not require a judge, but the court route may be chosen where recognition of the divorce abroad is at stake.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
Guided Package — €970 + VAT per spouse
You are outside the "ready-made" scope: you need support negotiating, a community-property regime, or real estate to divide.
Add: about €50 including tax for the notary's deposit (€41.20 excluding tax) · where jointly owned assets are divided, the 1.10% division duty on the net value divided (Article 746 of the General Tax Code); where real estate is involved, the division must also be recorded in a notarial deed · 20% VAT · +€1,200 + VAT for a court-approved amicable divorce: a minor child who asks to be heard, or a spouse abroad who cannot travel for the signing. Where a spouse is under a legal protective measure, French law rules out a mutual-consent divorce (Articles 229-2 and 249-4 of the Civil Code): the case falls outside these packages and is billed hourly.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
Family Package — €1,970 + VAT per spouse
One or more dependent children, with no income gap. The fixed fee covers the terms on residence, visitation rights and child-support contributions.
Add: about €50 including tax for the notary's deposit (€41.20 excluding tax) · the 1.10% division duty on the net value divided where jointly owned assets are divided (Article 746 of the General Tax Code), dividing real estate also requiring a notarial deed, quoted separately · 20% VAT · +€1,200 + VAT for a court-approved amicable divorce: a minor child who asks to be heard, or a spouse abroad who cannot travel for the signing. Where a spouse is under a legal protective measure, French law rules out a mutual-consent divorce (Articles 229-2 and 249-4 of the Civil Code): the case falls outside these packages and is billed hourly.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
Compensatory Allowance Package — €3,770 + VAT per spouse
An income or asset gap: negotiating and drafting the compensatory-allowance clause (amount, form, taxation) justifies this fee regardless of the other factors. The prestation compensatoire is in principle a lump sum, not a periodic maintenance payment — see our page on the compensatory allowance (page in French).
Add: about €50 including tax for the notary's deposit (€41.20 excluding tax) · the 1.10% division duty on the net value divided where jointly owned assets are divided · dividing real estate (notarial deed) quoted separately · 20% VAT · +€1,200 + VAT for a court-approved amicable divorce: a minor child who asks to be heard, or a spouse abroad who cannot travel for the signing. Where a spouse is under a legal protective measure, French law rules out a mutual-consent divorce (Articles 229-2 and 249-4 of the Civil Code): the case falls outside these packages and is billed hourly.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
Accepted divorce: billed hourly, quoted separately
You agree on the principle but not on the consequences: an accepted divorce goes before the family court judge. Like any court procedure, it is billed hourly, at €350 + VAT/hour, not as an amicable fixed fee. A quote is prepared at the first consultation.
Add: a court officer's fee where the claim is served by summons — French law also allows a joint petition by both spouses (Article 1107 of the Code of Civil Procedure) · 20% VAT.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
Definitive breakdown of marital life: hourly, quoted separately
Where one spouse does not accept the principle of the divorce and no fault is alleged, French law provides for divorce on the ground of definitive breakdown of marital life. This normally requires one year of separation at the date of the claim, subject to the qualifications set out in Article 238 of the Civil Code. At the firm, this route is billed hourly, at €350 + VAT/hour, with a quote prepared at the first consultation. The final amount depends on the number of hearings, any assets to divide, and how long the case runs — which is why it cannot be quoted upfront.
Add: court officer's fees, co-counsel, any expert report · 20% VAT.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
Fault-based divorce: hourly, quoted separately
A fault-based divorce is the longest and most contentious route (evidence, formal findings, hearings, sometimes expert reports). It is billed hourly, at €350 + VAT/hour, on a quote prepared at the first consultation — with no upfront figure, since it depends entirely on how the litigation unfolds. French law allows the spouses, at any stage of proceedings brought on the ground of fault or of definitive breakdown of marital life, to ask the judge to record their agreement to an accepted divorce (Article 247-1 of the Civil Code).
Add: court officer's fees, investigations, expert reports · 20% VAT.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
A first consultation at €180 incl. VAT, refunded if you open a file
Until the route is settled, the budget cannot be either. The first consultation (€180 incl. VAT, refunded if you go on to open a file) allows a review of your case and a costed estimate of the budget to plan for, based on the procedure suited to your situation.
Every situation is different: this result does not replace a lawyer's advice.
Fixed Fees for an Amicable Divorce
To be eligible for fixed-fee billing, your case must qualify for the fixed-fee scheme. We offer fixed-fee packages for an amicable divorce, and one or another will apply depending on three factors: whether there are children, jointly owned property, and any disparity in income or assets.
We also distinguish between the out-of-court amicable divorce and the amicable divorce before a judge: French law closes the out-of-court route in two cases only — where a minor child asks to be heard, or where a spouse is under a legal protective measure (Article 229-2 of the Civil Code). A foreign element is not a legal ground of exclusion, but recognition of an out-of-court divorce abroad is not uniform: that is what leads, in some expatriate cases, to seeking a court decision. Where a child asks to be heard, French law opens the court-approved mutual-consent divorce, which involves a hearing and the personal appearance of both spouses (Article 250 of the Civil Code). In the other cases, the court route open to spouses who agree on everything is the accepted divorce, where each spouse is represented by their own lawyer and where, if both parties expressly agree, the procedure can be conducted in writing without a hearing (Article L. 212-5-1 of the Code of Judicial Organisation), although the court may still decide to hold one, in particular if one of the parties asks for it. The firm handles either route, preserving the amicable, low-conflict nature of the case. Where the spouses agree on everything and an obstacle only prevents the agreement from being signed by both spouses and both lawyers together (a minor child who asks to be heard, a spouse who cannot travel…), the amicable fixed fee applies, plus €1,200 + VAT for going before the judge. An accepted divorce brought because the spouses do not agree on the consequences is billed hourly.
Signature
Package
€570 + VAT
Your situation
- Ø No children
- Ø No income disparity
- Ø No real estate
- Separate-property matrimonial regime
- Ready-made agreement: "We agree on everything, we're ready to divorce."
Guided
Package
€970 + VAT
Your situation
- Ø No children
- Ø No income disparity
- You need support negotiating your amicable divorce
Family
Package
€1,970 + VAT
Your situation
- Dependent child(ren)
- Ø No income disparity
Compensatory Allowance
Package
€3,770 + VAT
Your situation
- Income or asset disparity between spouses
Excludes the notary's deposit fee (about €50 including tax) and, where assets are divided, the 1.10% division duty- Court-approved amicable divorce possible: +€1,200 + VAT
- Signing at our offices in Dubai or Morocco (French expats) + €2,500 + VAT per spouse
- An additional success fee may apply depending on complexity
- Division of the matrimonial regime quoted separately
Contested Divorce and Other Family-Law Matters
Our fees are calculated hourly, at a rate agreed with the client in a written fee agreement.
The hourly rate is €350 + VAT per hour.
The fee agreement may include, as part of the remuneration, an additional success fee, consistent with the Bar's professional rules. It is calculated as a percentage, fixed in advance with the client in the fee agreement, of the sums recovered or saved following a court decision or a settlement.
Lawyer's fees are subject to VAT at the standard rate, currently 20%. They do not cover disbursements, court costs, or fees charged by outside parties, in particular court officers (commissaires de justice), co-counsel or experts.
Every case is reviewed at the first consultation, both on its substance and on the question of fees. By agreement with the client, and within the fee agreement, the terms of the engagement can be adjusted to the complexity and nature of the case.
The same approach applies to other family-law matters handled after the divorce: revising child support, changing custody arrangements, applying to the family court judge, or a disputed succession — billed hourly, often on a fixed fee for simple matters.
Comparing procedures: cost and duration
A summary of the firm's terms by divorce route. Lawyer's fees are subject to 20% VAT; legal aid may cover them depending on your means.
| Procedure | Lawyer's fees (the firm) | Additional costs | Average duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual consent, without a judge | Fixed fee of €570 to €3,770 + VAT per spouse, known in advance | Deposit of the agreement ~€50 incl. tax; if assets are divided: 1.10% division duty; if real estate: notarial deed and notary's fee as well | 1 to 3 months |
| Mutual consent, court-approved (a minor child asking to be heard) | Fixed fee + ~€1,200 + VAT | Same, without the notary deposit, plus a court hearing and the €50 legal aid contribution | 3 to 8 months |
| Accepted divorce (agreement on the principle) | Hourly, €350 + VAT/h — quoted separately | €50 legal aid contribution when the case is filed (not due if you receive legal aid); court officer where the claim is served by summons (~€50–200) — a joint petition by both spouses is also possible (Article 1107 of the Code of Civil Procedure); co-counsel | 12 to 18 months |
| Definitive breakdown of marital life | Hourly, €350 + VAT/h — quoted separately | Same, plus a possible expert report or social inquiry | 18 to 24 months |
| Fault-based divorce | Hourly, €350 + VAT/h — quoted separately | Same, plus formal findings, investigations | 2 to 3 years |
Who pays the cost of the divorce?
Each spouse pays their own lawyer. There is no rule placing every cost on a single spouse. A few clarifications:
- in a mutual-consent divorce, each spouse has their own lawyer and pays their own fixed fee; the couple can agree to split the cost differently (for example 50/50, or borne by the better-off spouse) — this is set out in the agreement;
- court costs (filing fees, court officer's fees) depend, in a contested divorce, on the procedure, unless the judge decides otherwise: in an accepted divorce they are split equally (Article 1125 of the Code of Civil Procedure); in a divorce for definitive breakdown of marital life they are borne by the spouse who brought the case (Article 1127); in a fault-based divorce they are generally borne by the spouse found at fault (Article 696);
- lawyer's fees are not court costs: the judge may only award a sum under Article 700 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which generally covers only part of the fees actually incurred;
- legal aid covers all or part of the costs depending on your income, assets and household, if you are a French or EU national or habitually resident in France.
Why choose DAF Darmon Avocats Famille?
Your case will be handled by a team made up of Maître Jérémie Darmon and, as needed, an associate lawyer and/or a paralegal. This team can be reinforced if needed, by agreement with the client. The firm brings together four lawyers, all experienced in family and succession law, and does not use any legal secretariat: you are always in direct contact with a lawyer, with no intermediary.
With 15 years of experience serving families and more than 1,200 cases handled, the firm is rated 4,4/5 by more than 89 client reviews on Google and Trustpilot. Maître Jérémie Darmon teaches at Paris law faculties and is regularly featured in the media — a mark of recognised expertise, including on the most complex cases: substantial assets, parental conflict, international divorces.
The firm is attentive to English-speaking and international clients, working in French and English. Its availability is consistently praised by clients, the first consultation is refunded if you open a file, and for an amicable divorce, fixed-fee billing is set in advance.
Why us
Your first consultation credited back
if you instruct the firm
At your consultation, a lawyer of DAF Darmon Avocats Famille reviews your case on the merits and on the terms of engagement.
Cost of a divorce: frequently asked questions
The firm charges a fixed fee from €570 + VAT per spouse, adjusted for whether there are children, jointly owned property, and any disparity in income. Add the deposit of the agreement with a notary (about €50 including tax) and, if the agreement divides jointly owned assets (bank accounts, savings, a car, real estate…), a 1.10% division duty on the net value divided. A court-approved amicable divorce costs about €1,200 + VAT more.
For a mutual-consent divorce, the budget is known in advance: a fixed fee per spouse (from €570 + VAT at the firm), plus the notary's deposit fee (about €50 including tax) and, if the agreement divides jointly owned assets, a 1.10% division duty. For a contested divorce, fees are billed hourly (€350 + VAT/hour at the firm) and therefore depend on the time and complexity involved: they are estimated at the first consultation and set out in a written fee agreement.
There is no fixed price: a fault-based divorce, one based on the definitive breakdown of marital life, or one based on accepting the principle of divorce is quoted after a first consultation, based on the likely number of hearings, whether assets need dividing, whether children are involved, and how sharp the disagreement is. The fee agreement sets out the basis for calculation (hourly rate, any success fee) and third-party costs not included (court officers, co-counsel, experts).
Lawyers' fees are unregulated and must be set out in a mandatory written fee agreement. The firm bills hourly, at €350 + VAT per hour, with the possibility of an additional success fee expressed as a percentage of sums recovered or saved. Fees are subject to VAT at the standard rate (currently 20%) and do not cover disbursements or third-party costs (court officers, co-counsel, experts).
The consultation is billed at €180 incl. VAT and is refunded (deducted from fees) if you go on to open a file with the firm. It allows a review of the substance of your case and an estimate of the budget to plan for.
Yes, fully or partly, depending on your income, assets and household. It is open to French and EU nationals and to foreign nationals habitually resident in France (others only in exceptional cases). It is requested from the legal aid office of the relevant French court.
Each spouse pays their own lawyer. In a mutual-consent divorce, the couple may agree to split the cost differently in the agreement (for example 50/50, or borne by the better-off spouse). In a contested divorce, court costs depend on the procedure, unless the judge decides otherwise: split equally in an accepted divorce (Article 1125 of the Code of Civil Procedure), borne by the spouse who brought the case in a divorce for definitive breakdown (Article 1127), generally borne by the spouse at fault in a fault-based divorce (Article 696); lawyers' fees themselves are not court costs — the judge may only award a sum under Article 700, which covers only part of the actual fees.
In a mutual-consent divorce without a judge, the notary deposits the agreement in their official records: about €50 including tax. No registration duty is payable if the agreement divides no assets; as soon as it divides jointly owned assets (bank accounts, savings, a car, real estate…), a 1.10% division duty is payable on the net value divided. If real estate is involved, the statement of liquidation must also be drawn up by a notary as a notarial deed, which adds the notary's own fee. In a contested divorce, a notary is required to divide real estate; the judge may also appoint one to prepare the division of the couple's assets.
"He has great human qualities, but above all he is a very intelligent, highly knowledgeable advisor."
"Throughout my divorce (1 year) he was available around the clock, evenings, weekends, even during holidays."
"You were there to smooth things over just as much as when we needed to be defended."
"Excellent support despite the distance (Australia/Paris) and the language barrier."
"Maître Darmon is caring and attentive throughout the whole procedure."
"He has great human qualities, but above all he is a very intelligent, highly knowledgeable advisor."
"Throughout my divorce (1 year) he was available around the clock, evenings, weekends, even during holidays."
"You were there to smooth things over just as much as when we needed to be defended."
"Excellent support despite the distance (Australia/Paris) and the language barrier."
"Maître Darmon is caring and attentive throughout the whole procedure."
