How much does a divorce cost in Florida?
Court fees, lawyer fees and the other costs of a Florida divorce, how to lower them, and how to get a divorce for free if you can't afford it.
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Updated: November 2026
The short answer
The cost of divorce in Florida depends on one thing more than any other: whether you and your spouse agree. An uncontested divorce, where you agree on everything, costs the court filing fee plus a modest flat fee if you hire a lawyer. A contested divorce, where a judge has to decide property, alimony or the children, costs much more because of discovery, mediation, hearings and, sometimes, trial.
Here is what goes into the total.
How much does it cost to file divorce in Florida?
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage is about $400 in most Florida counties, paid to the clerk when you file the petition. Other court-related costs you may see:
| Cost | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (about $400) | Every divorce |
| Service of process (sheriff or process server) | When your spouse doesn't sign the papers voluntarily |
| Notice of action in a newspaper | When you can't find your spouse |
| Parenting course | Both parents, when there are minor children |
| Mediation | Most contested cases; many courts offer reduced fees based on income |
| Certified copies of the final judgment | Optional, for name changes, immigration or banks |
These costs are the same whether or not you have a lawyer.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Florida?
Most Florida divorce lawyers bill by the hour and ask for a retainer up front. With hourly billing, the final cost depends on how much the spouses fight, and it is hard to predict.
We charge flat fees instead, so you know the Florida divorce lawyer cost before you start:
| Type of divorce | Our flat fee |
|---|---|
| Simplified divorce (no children, both agree) | $1,500 |
| Uncontested divorce, no children | $2,500 |
| Uncontested divorce with children | $3,500 |
| Contested divorce, no children | $6,500 |
| Contested divorce with children | $8,500 |
Court costs are separate. Payment plans are available, and the first 15-minute phone call is free.
Cost of an uncontested divorce in Florida
How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Florida? If you agree on everything, the total is usually the filing fee plus the lawyer's fee, if you use one. There is no discovery, no contested hearing and often no mediation. That is why the cost of an uncontested divorce in Florida is a fraction of a contested one, and why it is also the cheapest way to divorce in Florida with a lawyer's help. Learn how it works on our divorce page.
How much does a contested divorce cost in Florida?
A contested divorce costs more because there is more work: financial disclosure and discovery, depositions, expert witnesses (such as appraisers or accountants), mediation, temporary hearings and possibly a trial. With hourly billing, every phone call, email and court appearance adds to the bill.
That is why a credible "average cost of a divorce in Florida" is hard to give: the range between an agreed case and a fully contested one is very wide. What you can control is how many issues you fight over. Settling even part of the case, for example property but not the parenting plan, lowers the cost.
What makes a divorce cost more
- Children. A parenting plan, child support worksheet and parenting course are required, and custody disputes are the most expensive part of many cases.
- A house, a business or retirement accounts. Valuing and dividing them can require appraisals, experts and a separate order (QDRO) for retirement plans.
- Alimony. A claim for alimony means detailed financial evidence about both spouses.
- A spouse who won't cooperate with disclosure, service or scheduling.
- Property or a spouse outside Florida, including in Puerto Rico or another country.
Cheapest way to divorce in Florida
The cheapest way to divorce in Florida is a simplified dissolution of marriage, if you qualify: no minor children, no alimony, the wife is not pregnant, you agree on dividing everything, and you both sign and attend the final hearing. You pay the filing fee and fill out the free forms yourself.
If you don't qualify, the next cheapest option is a regular uncontested divorce. A cheap uncontested divorce in Florida is possible when the paperwork is done right the first time: mistakes in the forms lead to rejected filings, extra hearings and delays.
How to get a divorce in Florida for free
You can't avoid every cost, but you can get close to a free divorce in Florida:
- Ask the clerk to waive the filing fee. If your income is low, file an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status with the clerk. If approved, you don't pay the filing fee.
- Use the free Florida Supreme Court forms. The family law forms and instructions are free online. See our guide to Florida divorce laws.
- Get help from your clerk's self-help center. They can tell you which forms your county requires, but not give legal advice.
- Contact legal aid. Legal aid societies and pro bono programs help some low-income people with divorce, especially in cases involving domestic violence.
- Agree on as much as possible, so there are no contested hearings.
So, how can I get a free divorce in Florida? Qualify for the fee waiver, do the paperwork yourself and keep the case uncontested. If the case involves children, a house or immigration status, consider at least a review by a lawyer: mistakes in an agreement are hard to undo after the judge signs it.
Cheap divorce lawyers in Orlando: what to look for
If you're looking for cheap divorce lawyers in Orlando, Florida or a cheap divorce attorney in Orlando, compare the total cost, not the first number you hear. Ask:
- Is it a flat fee or hourly? What does the flat fee include?
- Are court costs included or separate?
- What happens if my spouse stops cooperating?
- Can I pay in installments?
A cheap divorce in Orlando, FL is one that doesn't turn expensive halfway through. Our office is in downtown Orlando and we handle divorces in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Polk, Volusia and Brevard counties, as well as Marion and Sumter, in English and Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a divorce cost in FL on average?
There is no reliable single average because agreed and contested cases are so different. An uncontested divorce costs the filing fee (about $400) plus any lawyer's fee. A contested divorce can cost many times more, depending on how many issues go to the judge.
How much does it cost to get a divorce in Florida without a lawyer?
Mainly the filing fee, about $400 in most counties, plus service of process if your spouse doesn't sign, and a parenting course if you have children. The forms are free.
Can I get the filing fee waived?
Yes, if you qualify as indigent. File an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status with the clerk when you file your petition.
Who pays for the divorce, me or my spouse?
Each spouse usually pays their own costs. If there is a big difference in income, the judge can order one spouse to pay part of the other's attorney's fees and costs (Florida Statutes §61.16).
Is a flat-fee divorce cheaper than hourly?
For agreed cases, usually yes, and it is predictable. You know the full lawyer's fee before you start, with no bills for phone calls or emails.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes, a free 15-minute phone call. An in-person consultation, or one longer than 15 minutes, costs $150.
General information about Florida divorce costs, not legal advice. Court fees change and vary by county; check with your clerk. Our prices are the firm's legal fees and do not include court costs.
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