How Much Does It Cost to Get Out of a Timeshare?

How much does it cost to get out of a timeshare? Depending on your contract and the exit method you use, it can range from $200 to more than $8,000. Some owners pay only small administrative fees, while others face higher costs if they hire a professional service or need legal help.

The total cost to get out of a timeshare depends on factors such as your contract type, whether you still owe on a loan, and which exit path you choose: resort deed-back programs, resale or transfer, or a legal timeshare exit service. This guide explains how much each method typically costs, what drives those costs, and how to avoid scams or unnecessary fees when ending a timeshare contract.

Table of Contents

1. What influences the cost of cancelling a timeshare?
2. 3 common ways to get out of a timeshare (with costs)
   1. 1. Resort and self-managed options
   2. 2. Resale or transfer
   3. 3. Professional and legal timeshare exit services
3. Average costs
4. What to do before paying for a timeshare cancellation service
5. How legal timeshare exit works
6. How to identify reputable timeshare exit companies
7. Risks of high timeshare exit costs and scams
8. Understand the cost of cancelling a timeshare
9. FAQ

What influences the cost of cancelling a timeshare?

Contract type, location, and whether you’ve finished paying for the property all play a role in the cost. Timeshares with loans or unpaid fees often cost more to exit.

Outstanding balances, late maintenance fees, or penalties can add to your total timeshare exit cost. Resorts may also charge administrative fees before approving a cancellation or transfer.

3 common ways to get out of a timeshare (and what they cost)

Local laws and resort policies differ, which can change your total expense. Before taking action, review your agreement and learn more about how to cancel or get out of a timeshare through reputable options and programs from your resort.

There are several legitimate ways to exit a timeshare, and each has different costs. Some methods are low-cost or even free, while others involve professional help or legal services. Understanding the pros and cons can help you choose the right path for your situation.

1. Resort and self-managed options

A good place to start is by contacting the resort directly. As the Reddit thread below discusses, some offer deed-back or voluntary surrender programs that let you return your ownership when your account is current.

Selling timeshare back to resort
byu/Odd-Attention-2127 inTimeshareOwners

You may only need to pay any past-due balances plus a small transfer fee as low as $200. 

If you’re still within the legal cooling-off period, you may be able to cancel at no cost. After that, fees vary by resort but can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. (See more on this in the Reddit thread below.)

I was able to exit our timeshare contract for $400 instead of $4000+
byu/te_ka inTimeshareOwners

These options usually work best for owners without outstanding loans or missed payments.

2. Resale or transfer

Another route is to sell or transfer your timeshare through a reputable resale platform or licensed broker. While resale values are usually much lower than the original purchase price, it can be a safe and legal exit option.

Resale costs often include listing, closing, or transfer fees, which vary depending on how your timeshare is structured. Most ownership types fall into two categories: deeded or right-to-use (RTU).

• A deeded timeshare gives you ownership of a portion of real property, recorded with a deed. You can sell, transfer, or leave it to heirs just like a home or other real estate.
• A right-to-use timeshare doesn’t convey ownership. Instead, it gives you the right to use the property for a set number of years under a lease or license. 

Plus, some timeshares use a points-based system, allowing flexibility to book across multiple resort locations. 

To demonstrate, let’s say you want to sell a points-based timeshare agreement.

Selling a timeshare
byu/mhch82 inTimeshareOwners

In the thread above, a Redditor shared that Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) offered $8 per point for a points-based timeshare, but they received roughly half after fees.

In this example, if you had 8,000 points to sell and received a net amount of $4 per point after paying any required fees, you would end up receiving $32,000.

According to a FAQ sheet published by Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV), the company can help you list your timeshare for resale. Examples of fees you might need to pay if you sell an HGV timeshare include: 

• An ownership transfer fee of around $425
• A membership activation fee of about $609
• An estoppel fee related to transferring the timeshare of $70

In this example, you’d pay $1,104 in fees.

These amounts vary by company and may change over time. Before listing, confirm all potential fees in writing and research any resale platform’s reputation to avoid scams and protect your investment.

3. Professional and legal timeshare exit services

Some owners hire professional exit firms or attorneys to exit a timeshare. These services can help negotiate directly with resorts or challenge unfair terms. Costs vary, but you could end up spending several thousand dollars on this service.

One Redditor shared that they received quotes ranging from $4,000 to $4,800 for these types of services, but they ended up being able to do it directly with the company the timeshare was with for only $400.

Choosing a reputable company is essential. Some firms offer escrow payment protection and clear contracts. It’s best to research carefully, compare quotes, and confirm the company’s reputation before paying any fees.

As a full-service consumer rights law firm, Stonegate is not a call center. We provide real legal services and direct negotiations, not just form letters.

Average costs to get out of a timeshare

The average cost to get out of a timeshare depends on how you approach the process. Self-managed options through the resort are typically the least expensive, and may cost $200 to $1,000 in administrative or transfer fees.

Professional timeshare exit or legal services could cost several thousand dollars, depending on the provider.

Before deciding, compare total expenses, time commitments, and the risk involved with each method to find the most practical solution.

To help clients budget for the financial impact of ending a timeshare contract, we’ll first use a budget template to get a clear picture of the financial impact before moving forward with the timeshare exit. After estimating the costs, we’ll decide whether to use existing funds or build a savings plan to meet those expenses comfortably.

What to do before paying for a timeshare cancellation service

Before hiring any company, contact your resort to ask about deed-back or resale programs. Some resorts will accept the property back if your account is current, saving you significant costs.

You can also explore legitimate resale platforms or consult a real estate or contract attorney. Taking these steps first can reduce or even eliminate your total timeshare cancellation cost.

How legal timeshare exit works

A legal timeshare exit focuses on negotiating a formal release from your contract, not walking away, defaulting, or hoping the resort stops pursuing you. Here’s how the process typically works when you hire a legitimate legal or negotiation-based service:

1. Review your contract and sales documentation

A legal team will review:

• Your purchase agreement
• Any financing or maintenance fee obligations
• Sales presentations, promises, or misrepresentations This helps determine whether high-pressure tactics or misleading statements occurred.

2. Identify your best legal grounds for cancellation

Common legal angles include:

• Misrepresentation or omission during the sales pitch
• Unfair or deceptive sales tactics
• Contract terms that were not fully explained
• Issues with financing disclosures

This step separates real legal work from companies that only send form letters.

3. Open a negotiation with the resort

A legal negotiator contacts the resort directly to seek one of the following:

• A deed-back
• A release of liability
• A mortgage cancellation
• A post-default resolution (if you’ve already stopped paying)

Because it is a legal negotiation (not a “strategic default”), the goal is to secure a clean exit with no lingering financial or credit fallout.

4. Respond to counteroffers and escalate when necessary

Some cases require multiple rounds of negotiation. A legal exit firm will:

• Track offers
• Push for improved terms
• Communicate directly with the resort’s attorneys
• Adjust strategy based on the resort’s policies and state laws

This differs from companies that stop responding once the fee is paid.

5. Confirm the release in writing

A legitimate exit ends with documentation showing the contract is fully canceled. This protects you from future maintenance fees, collections, or surprise charges.

When is a legal timeshare exit worth it?

A legal exit may be the safest path if:

• You financed the timeshare
• You’re facing foreclosure
• You experienced high-pressure or deceptive sales tactics
• The resort rejected your deed-back request
• Your contract is unusually complex

Legal exits cost more than DIY options, but they offer far stronger protection and a higher chance of permanent cancellation.

How to identify reputable timeshare exit companies

A reputable company offers transparent pricing, written contracts, and escrow options to protect your payment until services are complete. These safeguards reduce the risk of losing money to unfulfilled promises and timeshare exit scams.

At Stonegate, we take a legal approach to every case… We don’t pretend every case is simple, and we don’t vanish once a fee is paid. We stay in the trenches with our clients until the job is done.

Look for firms with strong consumer ratings and clear refund policies. Avoid companies that use high-pressure sales tactics or demand large upfront fees. Research reputable timeshare exit companies with positive reviews and proven results before making any commitment.

I’m skeptical of companies that claim to have helped tens of thousands of people with boilerplate letters. A real cancellation often requires negotiating multiple offers until we get the best possible outcome.

Risks of high timeshare exit costs and scams

Some companies charge excessive fees or fail to deliver on their promises, leaving owners with no results and less money. Scams often target frustrated owners who feel trapped and pressured to act.

We at Stonegate don’t consider defaulting on a contract to be a legal exit. Walking away isn’t the same as being released.

Never stop payments or assume your contract is canceled without written confirmation from the resort or an attorney. Review warnings about timeshare scams, and always verify credentials before paying any fees.

Resorts have multimillion-dollar legal teams and airtight contracts. Anyone encouraging strategic default is putting the owner at real legal and financial risk.

Understand the cost of cancelling a timeshare

The cost of cancelling a timeshare depends on your ownership type, contract terms, and the approach you take. Owners who qualify for resort deed-back or resale programs often pay only minimal administrative fees or small balances owed.

Once my client and I have outlined the estimated expenses, I’ll encourage them reach out to the timeshare company directly to explore resolution options. If that doesn’t achieve the desired result, I’ll guide them toward reputable legal aid services or an experienced timeshare exit attorney.

When contracts are complex or disputes arise, hiring a professional service or attorney may increase costs but can ensure the process is handled correctly. Always verify the company’s credentials, read all agreements carefully, and compare multiple options before committing any money.

Taking time to research can protect both your finances and peace of mind.

FAQ

How do I get out of my timeshare legally?

You can get out of a timeshare legally by using one of these methods:

1. Contact the resort to ask about deed-back, surrender, or hardship options.
2. Sell or transfer your ownership through a reputable resale platform.
3. Hire a legal timeshare exit firm to negotiate a formal contract release.
4. Cancel within your cooling-off period (usually three to 10 days after purchase).

Legal exits require written confirmation from the resort. Never rely on verbal agreements or strategic default.

What are signs of a bad timeshare exit company?

Avoid companies that:

• Guarantee results without reviewing your contract
• Require large upfront fees with no escrow
• Pressure you to stop making payments
• Won’t show you a written service agreement
• Won’t tell you who handles the legal work
• Change names frequently or hide ownership

Look for transparency, legal oversight, and clear documentation.

Do I need a local timeshare attorney?

Not always. A local attorney may be helpful if:

• You’ve been served foreclosure paperwork
• State-specific laws affect your contract
• You want in-person representation

However, many timeshare exit cases involve interstate resorts, so legal negotiation firms experienced with national resorts can often handle the process regardless of location. Always verify an attorney’s bar license and experience before hiring.