How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Florida Without a Lawyer?

Getting a divorce comes with many questions, emotions, and expenses. To ensure you get the experienced legal advice you need for the best outcome for you and your family, it’s wise to work with a reputable divorce attorney. Let’s review how divorce works in the Sunshine State, what you may need to pay for the process, and when it makes better financial and legal sense to hire an attorney.

The Florida Divorce Process

How you get divorced in Florida depends on how easily you and your spouse can decide the details of asset division and child arrangements. In all cases, you must show proof of residency for at least six months before filing and appear at the final hearing to confirm the divorce. Florida allows three main kinds of divorce:

  • Simple divorce: You have no children, no property to divide, and no disagreements. You can simply file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and complete the process quickly.
  • Uncontested divorce: You have no disagreements, but you do have property to divide and children. You still file the petition and may benefit from a divorce lawyer’s guidance to create child custody and child support plans.
  • Contested divorce: You do not agree and need guidance from attorneys, a mediator, or some other professionals to work out the details of asset division and child agreements.

With a simplified divorce, you will usually have to pay various court fees (usually around $400) to file the petition and have a hearing before a judge. For an uncontested divorce, you can write up agreements regarding property, but you may need to pay for asset valuations to divide things appropriately. If you write child custody and support agreements without an attorney, the judge may also alter them if they don’t meet Florida law and the best interests of the children.

For a contested divorce, both sides are better off hiring an attorney, or the court may order you to use mediation. How much divorce costs without a lawyer depends on a variety of factors unique to each couple and their needs.

Understanding What Factors Affect What Your Divorce Costs in Florida

Along with whether you choose to hire an attorney or not, you should understand other items that may increase the cost of your Florida divorce. These may include:

  • If you both own assets, and how you intend to divide them
  • If you have shared debts
  • Whether you must refinance your mortgage or sell the marital home
  • Whether one or both of you must relocate
  • Whether you have children, their ages, and any specific needs they have
  • Whether one party requests spousal support (alimony)
  • Whether you use attorneys, mediators, or must go to trial

Florida passed a new law in 2024, House Bill 521, that changes how marital assets and liabilities are distributed. If you don’t have a legal professional to interpret this law for you, you may make mistakes that cause your divorce to take even longer. This adds to your stress and costs as you struggle to determine what you must do while also managing your job, children, and the rest of your life.  While not monetary, it’s important to consider these costs when you divorce without a lawyer in Florida.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?

Without legal training, you may not understand the pros and cons of representing yourself in Florida family court for your divorce. That’s where working with an attorney can save you time and stress. It may even cost less to hire a lawyer, depending on your divorce case.

Many attorneys charge a flat fee for a simplified or uncontested divorce, which assumes a certain number of hours needed to handle your case. For a contested divorce, you will most likely pay a retainer to get started, then pay an hourly rate. The national average cost for a contested divorce is around $11,300.

Before making any decisions about your divorce, consult with a family law attorney to understand your options, get a fee estimate, and determine the best path forward for your situation.

Contact Our Divorce Law Firm in Orlando, FL

Contact the experienced Orlando divorce lawyers at McMichen, Cinami & Demps today for legal assistance. Contact our Orlando, FL office at (407) 898-2161 to schedule a free consultation.

McMichen, Cinami & Demps – Orlando Office
1500 E Concord St
Orlando, FL 32803