One of the most common questions people have when considering ending a marriage is: “How much will it cost?” Throughout Florida, the total cost of a divorce can vary widely depending on how simple or complex the situation is. While there is no one set price, understanding the typical fees and factors that influence costs can help you plan and manage expectations.
Court Filing and Mandatory Fees
The first expense in any Florida divorce is the court filing fee. In general, you will pay from $408 to $418 to file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Some individuals may qualify for a waiver of the court filing fee if you can show the court that you are indigent by filing an affidavit of insolvency and being approved. If you qualify, the court will waive the $10 fee to issue the summons which is only needed if the other party is not in agreement and needs to be served, and the cost to have the other party served which you can expect to pay a minimum of $40 if the other party resides in the state of Florida.
These are the basic costs just to start the divorce process.
Lower-Cost or Uncontested Options
If both you and your spouse agree on all major issues such as dividing property, liabilities, and parenting arrangements if your children are under the age of 18 years or dependent children, your divorce may be considered uncontested. In these cases, the cost beyond the filing fee will be much lower. Some people complete an uncontested divorce with NO attorney and using the assistance of a paralegal or non-lawyer for far less than $1,600 (including the court costs and document preparation and notarization).
Paralegal and non-lawyer support is often chosen in uncontested cases to prepare paperwork correctly without the higher cost of full legal representation.
How long does it take to get a divorce in Florida?
In Florida, an uncontested divorce may be finalized in as few as 45 days, depending on the court calendar and the paperwork accuracy. More complex or contested cases often take six months or longer depending if your case goes to mediation or requires to be set for trial. Keep in mind, Florida law also requires a mandatory 20-day waiting period after filing before a final judgment can be entered.
Final Thoughts
There is no one number or timeline that would fit every case, but you can expect to pay at a minimum the court filing fee, cost to issue a summons, and the cost of service if the other party is not in agreement, which can total thousands of dollars with the use of an
attorney. If your divorce remains straightforward and uncontested, further costs will be lower and can be finalized fairly quickly. Once disputes or legal representation are involved, attorney-related expenses become the largest portion of the total cost and add more complexity to the total amount of time.
Navigating family-related legal matters can feel overwhelming, especially when paperwork and deadlines are involved. We help to provide family law paralegal and non-lawyer services in a more affordable and efficient way.
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