By Attorney Francis M Boyer  Last fact-checked: May 2026

Summary: How much does a divorce cost in Florida?
A Florida divorce can cost anywhere from about $500.00 for a self-filed simplified marriage dissolution to $50,000 or more for a contested case involving experts, extensive discovery, or trial. The cost of a divorce in Florida depends on the level of conflict, financial issues, custody disputes, and how long the case stays in litigation.

Key Takeaways:

The floor: Court filing fees for a Florida divorce are usually about $408 to $410. Formal service is generally required unless the parties are in agreement. Generally, the fee from the clerk of court is about $10.00 per summons, and sheriff service is generally $40.00 per person served. 

Private process server fees may be higher, ranging from $65.00 to $225.00, depending on the speed of service requested. If international service is required, this fee can go up to $1,200.00 or more per summons.

Uncontested vs. contested: Many uncontested Florida divorces end up costing about $5,000.00 once attorney fees and court filing costs are included. Contested divorces often land between $15,000.00 and $50,000.00, particularly when custody, financial disputes, or trial work become part of the case.

Florida Family Law Rule 12.710 applies to all contested family law actions and is the basis for a mediation referral in such cases. This adds an extra expense, as generally a family law court issues a standing order in which mediation must be completed prior to a final trial. 

Mediators generally charge between $250.00 to $350.00 per hour, with four (4) hour minimum increments to be split between the parties. These fees are in addition to any attorney costs.

Hourly rates: Florida divorce attorneys often charge roughly $400.00 to $500.00 per hour, with many experienced family lawyers falling in the $500.00 to $750.00 range depending on location, experience, and case complexity.

Children can add cost: Divorces involving minor children often cost more because Florida requires a parenting course, and disputes over time-sharing, parental responsibility, relocation, or guardian ad litem involvement can add attorney time and outside fees.

Fee shifting: Under Florida Statute § 61.16, a court may order one spouse to contribute to the other spouse’s reasonable attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs based on financial need and ability to pay.

---

You’re not really searching for a number. You’re trying to figure out if you can afford to leave.

More than 70,000 Floridians file for dissolution of marriage every year, according to the Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator’s Statistical Reference Guide. Some couples resolve everything quickly and keep costs relatively low. Others spend tens of thousands of dollars litigating disputes involving property division, parenting issues, or support. Most divorces fall somewhere in the middle.

At Boyer Law Firm, we review divorce costs with clients before the case starts, not after the bills pile up. Whether the divorce is filed in Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, or another Florida court, the real cost usually comes down to the same question: how much needs to be resolved, and how much will be fought over. 

The Dissolution of Marriage Process: How Does It Work?

How does obtaining a divorce in Florida work?  

That depends on the case’s complexity.  If the parties are in agreement on the divorce, they can create a marital settlement agreement, file a simplified divorce, and fast-track the dissolution process.  This is generally the best-case scenario for all parties.  If the parties are not in agreement, however, this can cause the process to look much different.

In a contested divorce, the process will include more court proceedings, intense case management plans, and a mandatory referral to mediation, where the parties will be required to try to amicably resolve their differences. 

Depositions may be required, especially in cases where it is believed assets are being hidden or false information has been provided in discovery. Contested divorces can be draining, both financially and emotionally, which leads to an overall higher cost.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Florida? The Short Answer

Divorce costs in Florida depend on what needs to be resolved, how much the spouses disagree, and whether the case can settle early or requires formal discovery, mediation, expert involvement, or trial.

These are realistic 2026 market ranges, not court-set prices. Court fees are separate from attorney fees, mediator fees, expert costs, parenting courses, and service of process.

Divorce Type	Typical Cost in Florida	What Drives It
Simplified dissolution	$500 – $1,500	Filing fees, forms, self-preparation, and limited court costs
Uncontested with an attorney	$5,000 – $7,000	Limited attorney time, prepared settlement documents, and no major disputes
Mediated divorce	$5,000 – $15,000	Mediator fees, attorney preparation, negotiation, and settlement drafting
Contested divorce	$15,000 – $50,000+	Discovery, motions, financial disputes, depositions, hearings, and court time
High-conflict divorce with experts	$50,000+	Expert witnesses, custody disputes, business valuation, forensic accounting, and trial

Contested vs Uncontested Divorce: The Real Cost Difference

Uncontested divorces with attorney help often cost approximately $5,000.00. Contested divorces typically cost between $15,000.00 to $50,000.00, with high-conflict cases costing in excess of  $50,000.00. The real contested vs uncontested difference is not the paperwork. It is how many billable hours your case creates.

A case becomes contested when you and your spouse disagree on something that affects the outcome: a child’s primary residence, alimony, the family business, or a retirement account. Florida law sets a minimum 20-day waiting period under § 61.19, Fla. Stat. That is the floor.

Contested cases can run 6 to 12 months, and high-conflict or trial-track cases may take 12 to 24 months or longer, with fees billed against the retainer throughout the case. A $400-an-hour attorney working a 100-hour contested case bills $40,000.00. That math is the real cost driver.

Uncontested divorces avoid most of that. You and your spouse agree on the terms, sign the paperwork, and the attorney files it. Many uncontested Florida divorces close in 30 to 90 days from filing, depending on paperwork, court scheduling, and local procedure. Your appearance may not even be required at a final hearing, depending on the county.

Court Filing Fees in Jacksonville, Miami, and Orlando

Court fees are usually the first part of divorce costs in Florida. The filing fee, summons fee, and service of process are separate charges, and the exact amount can vary slightly by county clerk and by how the other spouse is served. The county sections below show what those initial costs look like in Jacksonville, Miami, and Orlando.

Duval County / Jacksonville

Duval County’s Family Law Division sits inside the Fourth Judicial Circuit. The filing fee runs the standard $409.00 plus convenience fees. If there are children involved, there is a parenting court requirement that costs around $39.00, depending on which program you choose. 

Process service through the Duval County Sheriff’s Office costs $40.00 to $50.00. Mediation is mandatory in contested cases before the court will set a trial date. Our Jacksonville family law team handles cases in this division regularly.

Miami-Dade County / Miami

Miami-Dade currently lists the filing fee for dissolution of marriage at $409.00 plus convenience fees. The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Family Division handles dissolution, custody and support, adoption, paternity, modification, and related family matters. 

Contested cases in Miami-Dade can take longer when discovery, hearings, expert issues, or trial scheduling are involved, which can increase attorney time. 

Orange County / Orlando

If your case is in Orange County, the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s Family Division handles it. The $408.00 plus convenience fees filing fee applies, plus a $18.00 to $39.00 parent education course requirement for any divorce with minor children.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Florida?

Florida divorce lawyers commonly charge between $400.00 and $500.00 per hour, depending on the attorney’s experience, location, and the complexity of the case. 

Many experienced family lawyers in Jacksonville, Miami, and Orlando fall somewhere between $500.00 and $750.00 per hour, while senior attorneys or lawyers handling complex, high-conflict cases may charge more.

Most hourly divorce cases also begin with a retainer. That is money paid up front and billed against future attorney time, filings, negotiations, hearings, and case work. 

In many Florida divorce cases, retainers start around $3,000.00 to $10,000.00, while high-asset, emergency, or trial-heavy cases may require more before the case begins.

The hourly rate matters, but it does not tell the whole story. A lower rate can still lead to a higher final bill if the case involves repeated disputes, incomplete financial disclosures, emergency motions, missed deadlines, or trial preparation. 

When people compare divorce costs in Florida, the bigger question is usually how much attorney time the case will require before it is resolved. Experience matters as well. Choosing the right attorney with the right experience can actually cost less because filings are done the first time correctly, creating fewer billable hours but higher-quality work service.

How Hourly Billing and Retainers Work

Most contested divorce cases in Florida are billed by the hour. The attorney bills against the retainer as work is completed, including calls, emails, drafting, document review, negotiations, mediation preparation, hearings, and court filings. If the retainer is used up before the case ends, the client may need to replenish it.

The fee agreement should explain the hourly rate, billing increments, what the retainer covers, when additional funds may be required, and whether unused funds are refundable. If any part of the fee is nonrefundable, Florida Bar guidance requires that the client agree to that in writing. 

When Flat Fees May Apply

Flat fees are less common in family law and are usually limited to truly uncontested divorces. They may work when both spouses agree on every major issue, financial disclosures are straightforward, and the attorney’s role is limited to preparing or reviewing documents.

A low flat fee for a contested divorce should be treated carefully. Litigation is unpredictable. If the fee does not cover discovery, mediation, motions, hearings, or trial preparation, it may only cover the starting paperwork, not the full case.

Hidden Divorce Costs in Florida: Expert Fees and Case Expenses

Filing fees and attorney rates are the costs most people expect. Expert fees are harder to predict. They usually come up when a divorce involves business ownership, hidden assets, real estate disputes, complex income, digital assets, or contested parenting issues.

Not every divorce needs experts. Many uncontested cases resolve without them. Expert costs usually become relevant when the court, the attorneys, or the spouses need outside professional analysis before a settlement or trial.

Expert or Service	Typical Cost / Rate in Florida	Why the Cost Varies
Forensic accountant	$15,000+	Hidden assets, crypto, business records, offshore accounts, and disputed income. Plus testimony
Business valuator	$10,000+	Business type, valuation method, records, goodwill, and testimony needs.
Guardian ad litem	$3000 – $15,000+ total	Custody disputes, interviews, investigations, reports, hearings, and the length of involvement.
Social investigation or parenting evaluation	$3,000 – $30,000+	Evaluator time, interviews, testing, records, report writing, and testimony.
Private mediator	$350 per hour, usually split equally, minimum 4 hours generally	Session length, mediator experience, attorney preparation, and number of disputes.
Court-connected family mediation	$60 – $120 per person per session for qualifying parties	Income eligibility, circuit rules, and whether private mediation is required.
Real estate appraiser	$1000 – $5000+ per property	Property type, complexity, location, and added market analysis.
Parent education course	About $40 – $70 per parent	Provider, format, and DCF-approved course requirements.

When Expert Fees Become a Major Cost

A divorce involving both business assets and a serious parenting dispute can become expensive quickly because the case may need more than one outside professional. A forensic accountant, business valuator, parenting evaluator, mediator, appraiser, or expert deposition can each add a separate bill outside the attorney’s hourly work.

Digital assets, cryptocurrency, private equity interests, and business records can also increase the cost of financial expert work. The expert may need to trace transfers, review account records, explain ownership, or prepare findings that can be used in settlement discussions or court.

Depositions and Expert Testimony

Depositions can add another layer of expense in contested cases. The cost usually includes attorney preparation, attendance, court reporter fees, transcripts, and expert witness time when experts are involved.

An expert may also charge for trial preparation and court testimony. That means the cost is not limited to the report itself. If the expert has to defend the findings in a deposition or explain them at trial, the bill can rise quickly.

Who Pays for Expert Fees in a Florida Divorce?

Expert fees are usually third-party costs, not attorney fees, and they are often not included in a standard law firm retainer. In some cases, one spouse may ask the court to order the other spouse to contribute to litigation costs.

Under Florida Statute § 61.16, the court may award attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs after considering the financial resources of both parties. That does not guarantee reimbursement or advance payment, but depending on the circumstances, the court may order one spouse to contribute to certain case expenses. Even if the court does award these fees, it is generally done at the end of the case, not while the case is pending.

Parenting Experts and Required Parent Education

If the parenting plan is disputed, Florida courts may order a social investigation and parenting plan recommendation under § 61.20. That type of evaluation can add cost because it may involve interviews, records, written recommendations, and possible testimony.

Florida also requires divorcing parents with minor children to complete a DCF-approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course. DCF states that approved courses must be at least four hours, and course prices vary by provider and format.

Why These Costs Are Hard to Predict

The more outside professionals a divorce needs, the harder it becomes to predict the final bill. A case involving a house and basic financial disclosures may need only an appraisal. A case involving a business, disputed income, cryptocurrency, and parenting conflict may require several professionals, each billing separately from the attorney.

These ancillary expenses are one reason the total cost of divorce in Florida can vary so widely. Most divorces do not trigger every cost in the chart, but when several issues overlap, third-party fees can become a major part of the case budget.

How Boyer Law Firm Helps With the Cost of Divorce in Florida

Most people come to us asking: “How much does a divorce cost in Florida for someone in my position?” The answer depends on what is agreed, what is still disputed, and how much legal work the case is likely to require.

At Boyer Law Firm, we talk through the cost of divorce in Florida early, including court fees, attorney time, mediation, parenting issues, property disputes, and the problems most likely to increase the bill.

Our family law team handles divorce cases across Jacksonville, Miami, and Orlando, including matters filed in Duval, Miami-Dade, and Orange County. On the first call, we look at the facts of your situation and explain which path may make the most financial sense: uncontested resolution, mediation, negotiation, or litigation when the dispute requires it.

You now have a clearer picture of the numbers. The next step is understanding how those numbers apply to your divorce.

Contact Boyer Law Firm to schedule a consultation and talk through the likely cost of your Florida divorce.

FAQs About the Cost of Divorce in Florida

How much are divorce filing fees in Florida?

Florida’s standard court filing fee is $409.00 plus convenience fees, plus $10 for each summons. Process service through the sheriff or a private server is generally $40.00 to $225.00, depending on the level of service. Total initial court costs range between $440.00 and $500.00 in most counties.

How long does a divorce take in Florida?

Florida law requires a 20-day minimum wait after filing. Uncontested divorces typically close in 30 to 90 days. Contested cases run 12 to 24 months. Every month, the docket adds billable attorney hours, which is why the timeline directly drives cost.

How much does a divorce cost in Florida with a child?

A Florida divorce with children may stay near the uncontested range if both parents agree on time-sharing, child support, and the parenting plan. When parenting issues are disputed, the cost often rises to $10,000.00 to $30,000.00 or more because of mediation, attorney time, possible guardian ad litem fees, or a social investigation under Florida’s best-interest framework.

Can my spouse pay my divorce attorney fees in Florida?

Yes, in many cases. Florida courts can order the higher-earning spouse to cover reasonable attorney fees and expert costs for the lower-earning spouse based on need, ability to pay, and reasonableness. If your income gap is large, ask your attorney about requesting a fee award early.