Cheap Divorce in Alabama: A Smarter, More Affordable Way to End Your Marriage
If you're searching for a cheap divorce in Alabama, you're not alone—and you're not out of options. Many couples want to part ways with as little conflict, confusion, and cost as possible. But when most divorce attorneys in Alabama require a $6,000 to $10,000 retainer just to get started, it’s easy to feel stuck.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to spend a fortune or hire two lawyers to get a fair divorce.
At Thresholds Mediation, we offer a better way.
Why Pay $20,000 for a Divorce When You Don’t Have To?
In Alabama, most divorce attorneys require a retainer between $6,000 and $10,000 per person just to get started. That money is not a flat fee—it’s an advance the attorney draws from as they bill for emails, phone calls, court filings, and negotiations. Once the retainer runs out, clients are typically required to add more.
As a result, the total cost of an attorney-led divorce often climbs well beyond the initial retainer. If both spouses have lawyers, it’s not unusual for a divorce to cost $15,000 to $25,000 or more before it’s resolved.
At Thresholds Mediation, we offer a more affordable, transparent alternative.
Our rate is $300 per hour, and we offer a sliding scale for those with financial need. You pay only for the time you use, and you share that time together—one mediator, one hourly rate, no duplication of effort.
That’s a potential savings of thousands of dollars, while still getting the clarity, support, and structure you need to move forward.
Divorce Without Attorneys? Yes—If You Know Your Options
Not every divorce has to be a fight. If you and your spouse are both willing to work together—even if things are tense or painful—you may be able to complete your divorce through unrepresented mediation.
What that means:
You don’t hire separate attorneys to negotiate for you
You work with one neutral mediator who helps you reach agreements about custody, finances, property, and future planning
You keep your legal costs low and your decisions in your own hands
Mediation is completely confidential. What you say in mediation stays in mediation—it cannot be used in court if the process breaks down.
Your mediator is not your lawyer. At Thresholds, we don’t give legal advice or represent either party. Our role is to create a structured, emotionally safe space so you can reach clear, workable agreements—on your terms.
Under Alabama law, you also have the right to bring an advisor or support person of your choice to mediation. This could be a friend, relative, or professional advisor. You’re not required to bring someone—but you may if it helps you feel supported during the process.
What Happens After Mediation?
At Thresholds, you’ll leave mediation with a signed mediation agreement that outlines all of the terms you and your spouse have agreed to—covering parenting arrangements, property division, financial support, and any other issues you addressed together.
We do not prepare or file legal documents. During the mediation process, we use a general checklist—based on what most Alabama attorneys look for—to help guide conversations and ensure your mediation agreement covers all important topics.
In Alabama, you can legally self-file an uncontested divorce. Legal Services of Alabama offers a free online tool that can help walk you through the paperwork and filing process.
That said, each judge may have their own specific filing requirements—especially when child custody is involved. Mistakes in formatting or missing paperwork can result in your divorce being rejected by the court. Unfortunately, this can mean paying the court filing fee a second or even third time.
To avoid those setbacks, many couples choose to hire a family law attorney just to file the paperwork. In Alabama, this often costs around $1,000—and that price usually includes the court filing fees, which ranges from $300 to $400 depending on your county.
Even with that added step, combining mediation with limited legal assistance typically saves tens of thousands of dollars compared to going through the entire divorce process with separate attorneys.
Ready to Talk? Schedule Your Free Consultation Today.
At Thresholds Mediation, we offer a free 20-minute consultation to help you understand whether unrepresented divorce mediation is a good fit for your situation. There’s no pressure—just honest guidance and a clear path forward.