DivorceCalc vs Hello Divorce: Financial Analysis vs Document Filing
DivorceCalc and Hello Divorce are fundamentally different products that solve different problems. Understanding this distinction will save you time and money. Here is an honest look at what each does, and how they work together.
The Key Insight: They Are Complementary, Not Competing
DivorceCalc tells you what your settlement should look like — the numbers, the strategy, the financial plan. Hello Divorce helps you file the paperwork to make it official. The smartest approach is to use DivorceCalc firstto understand your financial position, then use Hello Divorce (or an attorney) to execute. You would not sign a contract without reading it — do not file for divorce without knowing your numbers.
When to Use Each
Use DivorceCalc ($39) when you need to:
- + Understand what you are entitled to under your state's laws
- + Calculate child support and spousal support amounts
- + Evaluate whether to keep the house, sell, or keep retirement
- + Prepare for mediation or attorney meetings with hard numbers
- + Get a financial game plan before making any decisions
Use Hello Divorce ($99-$999) when you need to:
- + Prepare divorce documents for court filing
- + Actually file for divorce in your state
- + Access on-demand attorneys for legal questions
- + Use a mediator to resolve disputes
- + Navigate the TurboTax-style filing process
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | DivorceCalc | Hello Divorce |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39 one-time | $99-$999 |
| Primary Purpose | Financial analysis & strategy | Document preparation & filing |
| State Coverage | All 50 states | Select states |
| Time to Complete | 5 minutes | Days to weeks |
| Property Division Analysis | Detailed with dollar amounts | Not included |
| Child Support Calculation | State-specific statutory formula | Basic calculator |
| What-If Scenarios | 3 scenarios with 10-year projections | Not included |
| Tax Impact Analysis | Filing status, QDRO, capital gains | Not included |
| Document Preparation | Not included | Full court-ready documents |
| Court Filing | Not included | Available (varies by plan) |
| Access to Lawyers | Not included (preparation tool) | On-demand attorneys & mediators |
| Mediation Services | Not included | Available |
| Negotiation Strategies | AI-written personalized strategies | Not included |
| Action Plan | Step-by-step with document checklist | Filing-focused checklist |
| Post-Divorce Budget | Monthly cash flow projection | Not included |
Different Problems, Different Solutions
Hello Divorce has built an excellent platform for the legal processof divorce: document preparation, court filing, and access to attorneys and mediators. Their TurboTax-style interface makes the paperwork manageable. But Hello Divorce does not tell you what your settlement should be. It does not run child support formulas, model property division scenarios, or project your post-divorce budget. That is what DivorceCalc does. We compute the numbers using your state's statutory formulas, then AI writes a narrative analysis explaining what those numbers mean and how to negotiate effectively.
The Smart Sequence: Analyze, Then File
The most cost-effective approach is to start with DivorceCalc ($39, 5 minutes) to understand your financial landscape. Know your child support range. Know your property division. Know what spousal support looks like. Then, armed with those numbers, use Hello Divorce to prepare and file your documents — or bring your DivorceCalc report to a consultation with one of Hello Divorce's on-demand attorneys. You will save time, money, and make better decisions because you started with clarity rather than confusion.
Pricing Comparison
DivorceCalc is $39 for a complete financial analysis. Hello Divorce ranges from $99 for basic document preparation to $999 for premium packages that include attorney access. The combined cost of using both ($138-$1,038) is still far less than hiring a traditional divorce attorney ($15,000-$30,000). For users on a tight budget, DivorceCalc alone at $39 provides the financial clarity needed to negotiate independently or in mediation.
What DivorceCalc Does Not Do
To be clear: DivorceCalc does notprepare legal documents, file court papers, or provide legal advice. It is a financial analysis and preparation tool. If you need to actually file for divorce, you will need Hello Divorce, an attorney, or your county court's self-help center. DivorceCalc is the financial preparation step — the step most people skip and later regret.
Know Your Numbers Before You File
Start with the financial analysis. Use DivorceCalc to understand what you are entitled to, then decide how to proceed.
Start My Free Assessment →$39 one-time. No account needed. 5 minutes.