Though getting a divorce is a stressful and painful process, you’re far from alone. Florida is the state with the sixth highest divorce rate, so communities and legal professionals are seasoned in tackling the complex emotional and legal issues that come with separation.
Understanding legal procedures and divorce costs in 2025 can help you feel more confident navigating the process of separation. Read on to learn more about these processes, what they entail, and what fees you’re looking at.
Divorce Costs in 2025: What to Expect
The Motley Fool, a well-known financial company with affiliates recommended by FINRA, has published 2025 statistics related to divorce fees.
Martindale-Nolo research cited there found that the average divorce in the US costs about $11,300. Findlaw, another source that offers legal information to those embroiled in legal disputes, notes that divorcees in most states will face over $8,000 in attorney fees.
However, divorce costs in 2025 will fluctuate depending on the circumstances of your divorce. Some of the most important include:
- The value of the assets you’re dividing
- Where assets are located
- Whether any children are in the equation and what your prospective custody arrangements would look like
- Whether you share any pets
- Whether one party wants to keep a shared home or both parties want to sell it
- How many divorce terms are contested
- Whether the divorce is a fault divorce or a no-fault divorce
- Whether the case goes to trial
Martindale-Nolo statistics note that a no-contest divorce will likely only cost about $4,100. If the divorce is contested but has no alimony-related disagreements, it may only cost about $7,800. However, alimony disputes bring the cost up to $15,900 on average.
Legal Process for Divorce and Associated Fees
There are several legal processes and laws that divorce relies on.
Filing for divorce is the first step in any divorce arrangement. In Florida, one spouse (called the ‘petitioner’) files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the court.
This petition includes:
- Information about both spouses
- Why the divorce is taking place
- Whether the couple has any children
It gets filed in either:
- The county where the divorcing couple lives/lived together
- The county in which the marriage took place
The initial filing fees for this petition are $408 in 2025.
Then, the courts that receive the petition will serve the divorce papers to the non-petitioner spouse. This spouse is called the ‘respondent.’ Usually, the respondent will receive the papers from a process server.
The documents served to the respondent spouse will include an official notification of the divorce proceedings. The respondent then has 20 days to respond. The response can either agree or disagree with the terms of the petition.
If the responder agrees with the petitioner, they are looking at a no-contest divorce. These are the least expensive divorces out there. If they disagree, the ex-partners will need to negotiate favorable terms for both parties with the help of an attorney.
When to Work With a Lawyer
Lawyers play a big role in divorce negotiations when the respondent contests the terms outlined in the petitioner’s documents. However, divorcees should get the help of an attorney as soon as they begin divorce proceedings.
Right off the bat, an experienced Florida lawyer can:
- Discuss divorce laws with you and how the process works
- Answer any questions you have about divorce expenses in 2025
- Help you navigate divorce financial planning
- Assist in crafting a legally-binding Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Deal with courts, sheriffs, and/or process servers when serving the documents
This will ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of what’s to come.
If the documents are contested, an attorney can then help you:
- Figure out what legal and financial documents can help your case along
- Gather financial records and property deeds
- Find relevant information about the other spouse
- Conduct depositions to get statements sworn under oath
- Send out subpoenas if necessary
- Draft agreements that outline all divorce terms
Finally, they’ll negotiate with your spouse’s attorneys to get a fair distribution of assets. Sometimes, divorcing spouses will be in the room together when this happens.
Cases that go to trial on one issue cost $20,379. If they go to trial on more than one issue, they will cost about $23,300.
Luckily, most people don’t need to worry about this. 90% of divorces don’t go to court. They settle during the negotiation process. This saves all involved parties time and money.
At the end, an attorney will draft up an agreement outlining the terms of divorce. Both spouses will sign it to finalize the agreement.
The Costs of Mediation: An Alternative Route
Some spouses choose mediation as an alternative avenue to traditional divorce proceedings.
Mediation is a more amicable process in which a neutral mediator helps a divorcing couple come to an agreement on asset division and child custody outside of court. This alternative dispute resolution is:
- More amicable than court litigation
- Reliant on both spouses’ ability to communicate
- Equally reliant on a quality attorney that serves to mediate discussions in a productive, non-emotionally-charged way
- Focused on reaching terms that are favorable to both parties
Mediation is great for couples who don’t want their divorce documents to be public. Court documents go on the public record, but mediation sessions are completely confidential.
Mediation also is significantly cheaper than navigating divorce laws during litigation. Experts cite mediation as costing between $3,000 and $8,000. The exact costs will depend on how many sessions you need, but this is still several thousand dollars cheaper than litigation would be.
Initiate the Legal Process for Divorce Today
Now that you know the ins and outs of divorce costs in 2025, it’s time to find the right representation to advocate for your needs. Boyer Law Firm is committed to assisting with separation and divorce processes including dividing assets and creating custody arrangements.
Our team is excited to hear about your specific situation and answer any questions quickly and thoroughly. We have a 10.0 Avvo rating, so you know that you’re getting the most comprehensive services possible when working with us.
Contact our attorneys to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you navigate divorce procedures.