How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Florida?

A divorce in Florida starts at $409 in court filing fees (plus about $10 for a summons in Miami-Dade). An uncontested divorce with an attorney typically costs $2,000–$5,000 in total, while a contested divorce averages $15,000–$30,000 — and can exceed $50,000 if it goes to trial.

What You Pay the Court

Every divorce in Florida begins with the same court costs, no matter how simple or complex the case. The petition filing fee is $409 in Miami-Dade County, plus about $10 to issue a summons. Serving your spouse with divorce papers adds $40–$100 depending on whether you use the sheriff or a private process server. If your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify for a fee waiver from the Clerk of Courts.

These court costs are the smallest part of a divorce. The real variable is everything that comes after.

Uncontested vs. Contested: The Biggest Cost Factor

An uncontested divorce — where you and your spouse agree on property division, time-sharing, and support before filing — is dramatically cheaper. With an attorney preparing and reviewing everything correctly, most uncontested divorces in Florida cost between $2,000 and $5,000 total, and they can be finalized in a matter of weeks.

A contested divorce — where a judge must resolve disagreements — typically runs $15,000 to $30,000 per spouse. Cases involving business valuations, hidden assets, or custody evaluations that proceed all the way to trial can exceed $50,000.

The lesson: every issue you can resolve by agreement saves you money. Even settling two of three disputed issues meaningfully cuts the bill.

What Attorneys Charge in Florida

Florida divorce attorneys bill $260–$600 per hour, with Miami rates at the higher end of the range. Most begin with a retainer of $2,500–$7,500 depending on the complexity of the case. Some attorneys, including our firm, offer flat-fee arrangements for straightforward uncontested divorces — ask during your consultation.

What Drives Costs Up (and How to Keep Them Down)

Costs rise with conflict. The most expensive divorces involve disputes over child custody, businesses or professional practices, real estate holdings, or allegations that require expert witnesses. Costs fall when both spouses exchange financial documents promptly, communicate through attorneys respectfully, and treat mediation seriously — Florida courts require mediation before trial in most family cases, and settling at mediation routinely saves tens of thousands of dollars.

Divorce Costs in Miami-Dade County

If you’re filing in Miami, your case will go through the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts family division. The local filing fee is $409, and Miami attorney hourly rates are among the highest in Florida — which makes choosing an attorney who resolves cases efficiently especially valuable here. Arturo R. Alfonso P.A. has served Miami-Dade families in English and Spanish for over 35 years, from Brickell to Kendall to Cutler Bay, and offers consultations to give you a realistic cost estimate for your specific situation — including whether your case qualifies for a lower-cost uncontested process. If you’ve been searching for a divorce attorney near me in Miami, we’re ready to help.

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