What divorce actually costs in Florida
Real filing fees, real attorney rates by county, and the one number that predicts your total better than anything else.
Most people ask “how much does a divorce cost in Florida” expecting one number. There isn’t one — there are two very different totals depending on a single fork in the road: do you and your spouse agree, or don’t you.
If you agree: the DIY floor is around $430–$530
Florida’s uncontested process — no attorney, both spouses cooperating — runs almost entirely on fixed court costs:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Circuit court filing fee | ~$400 (varies by county, e.g. Broward $409, Hillsborough & Collier $408) |
| Summons issuance, per summons | $10 |
| Sheriff service of process, per person | $40 (skipped if your spouse signs a voluntary Answer and Waiver) |
| Parenting course, per parent (if you have minor children) | $20–$70 |
| Final judgment recording / vital statistics fee | ~$10 |
| Typical all-in, doing it yourselves | $430–$530 |
If you don’t agree: attorney fees dominate, and county matters more than you’d think
The moment either spouse hires a lawyer, or the case is contested on custody, support, or how property gets split, the court-cost floor stops being the number that matters. Attorney billing does — and Florida attorney rates vary meaningfully by county, tracking local cost of living and court caseloads:
| County | Uncontested, with attorney | Contested | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade | $1,800–$4,000 | $7,000–$30,000+ | $150–$400/hr |
| Broward | $1,600–$3,800 | $6,500–$27,000+ | $140–$375/hr |
| Palm Beach | $1,700–$4,200 | $7,000–$32,000+ | $150–$400/hr |
| Orange (Orlando) | $1,200–$3,200 | $5,000–$20,000+ | $110–$300/hr |
| Hillsborough (Tampa) | $1,300–$3,300 | $5,500–$22,000+ | $120–$320/hr |
| Duval (Jacksonville) | $1,100–$3,000 | $4,800–$19,000+ | $100–$280/hr |
| Polk (Lakeland) | $1,000–$2,700 | $4,200–$16,500+ | $90–$260/hr |
South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) consistently runs highest; Central and North Florida counties run 25–40% lower for the same work. If you’re near a county line, that gap alone can be worth checking before you retain anyone.
The one number that predicts your total better than anything else
It isn’t your county, your income, or even whether you have kids. It’s whether you and your spouse can agree on the substance before either of you hires a lawyer. Every added dollar in a Florida divorce comes from disagreement being litigated — discovery, motions, hearings, trial prep — not from the paperwork itself. Two spouses who agree on property division, support, and parenting time and simply need it documented and filed correctly can often stay near the $430–$530 DIY floor, or pay a flat fee to a mediator or limited-scope attorney to review the paperwork instead of litigate it.
Filing in Florida yourself?
The Florida Divorce Kit has the exact forms, deadlines, and rejection traps for your county.
This article is informational, not legal or financial advice, and cost ranges are illustrative and county-typical, not a quote. Court fee figures reflect Florida’s statewide circuit court fee schedule; attorney rate ranges are member-reported estimates. For a number specific to your situation, consult a licensed Florida attorney or a professional from the Florida directory.