Divorce in Florida Cost: Average Fees Explained

Florida courts call a divorce a dissolution of marriage, and the state offers a simplified version for couples who agree on everything and meet certain conditions. The low end of the range above reflects that route, where the spouses do the paperwork themselves and the main cost is the filing fee.

The high end reflects attorney involvement. The same Florida law that makes a simplified process available also leaves a lot of room for disputes about property, alimony, and children. When those arise, cost moves up quickly. Whether the simplified route is open to you is a question for a licensed family law attorney in Florida or the clerk of court in your county.

Florida clerks of court set their own fee schedules within state rules, so the price differs a little by county.

The statewide figure listed by Hello Divorce is $408. Individual counties publish their own: Polk County Clerk lists $408 for a dissolution in Polk County, Broward Clerk lists $409 in Broward County, and Osceola Clerk lists $397.50 for a simplified divorce in Osceola County.

Extras are billed on top. Polk County charges $10 to issue a summons. Having a sheriff or private server deliver the papers costs $40 – $125 according to McKinney Law Group. If you have minor children, Florida requires a parenting course for each parent, listed at $20 – $60. Always check your clerk's site for the current fee schedule.

Here is how the main routes compare.

• Handling an uncontested case on your own is listed at $500 – $2,500.
• An attorney who drafts or reviews your agreement costs $3,000 – $7,000.
• A flat-fee attorney package in Tampa is listed at $1,200 – $3,500.
• A contested divorce is listed at $15,000 – $30,000.

A flat fee is worth asking about because it caps your cost. Check what it covers, since some packages exclude court appearances, filing fees, and changes to the agreement.

Marble lists Florida divorce attorneys at $260 – $600/hr. In Tampa, McKinney Law Group puts a mid-level associate at $300 – $425/hr. Private mediators are listed at $100 – $500/hr.

A mid-level associate often handles routine work at a lower rate than a senior partner, which is one way firms keep bills down. Ask who will actually work on your case.

Several issues turn a short case into a long one.

• Children. A parenting plan is required, and disagreements about time-sharing and support can lead to hearings or mediation.
• Alimony. Florida changed its alimony law in recent years, and the rules for what a court may award are specific. A licensed family law attorney in Florida can explain how they apply to you.
• Property. A home, a business, or retirement accounts may need valuation.
• Financial disclosure. Florida requires both spouses to exchange financial information, and attorneys bill for reviewing it.
• Delay. If a spouse cannot be found or does not respond, service costs and time increase.

Florida courts also commonly send contested family cases to mediation before trial. Court-ordered mediation is typically cheaper than a private mediator.

Attorney rates in Florida's big metro areas run higher than in smaller communities, but the sources here only give a statewide span and one Tampa breakdown. Court fees vary by only a small amount across the counties listed, which sit within a few dollars of each other.

For a budget, treat the filing fee as a nearly fixed cost and expect the location effect to show up in what you pay your lawyer.

The two estimates use different bases. Marble reports $15,000 – $30,000 for a contested divorce, while McKinney Law Group reports $7,500 – $25,000 per spouse for a moderately contested case. The headline range on this page covers uncontested divorces only, so it is far lower than either.

If you compare sources, check whether a figure is for one spouse or both, and whether it covers an agreed case or a fight.

• Check whether the simplified process fits your situation
• Complete the financial disclosure forms before meeting a lawyer
• Ask for a flat fee in writing
• Use mediation to resolve parenting and property issues
• Respond to your attorney promptly and in a single message when you can