A cheap divorce in Florida costs as little as $408 in court filing fees when both spouses agree on all terms and file without attorneys. Florida offers a simplified dissolution process under Fla. Stat. § 61.052 that allows qualifying couples to finalize their divorce in as few as 4 to 6 weeks. Couples with no minor children, no disputed property, and no alimony claims can complete the entire process using free forms from the Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov. Even contested divorces can be made more affordable through mediation, limited-scope legal representation, and legal aid programs available in all 67 Florida counties.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $408 (varies $397–$409 by county) |
| Waiting Period | 20 days minimum (Fla. Stat. § 61.19) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months (Fla. Stat. § 61.021) |
| Grounds | No-fault only: "irretrievably broken" (Fla. Stat. § 61.052) |
| Property Division | Equitable distribution (Fla. Stat. § 61.075) |
| Simplified Dissolution | Available for couples with no children, no alimony, full agreement |
| Free Court Forms | flcourts.gov Family Law Forms |
| Legal Aid | Available statewide through floridalawhelp.org |
What Does a Cheap Divorce in Florida Actually Cost?
The minimum cost of a cheap divorce in Florida is $408 in filing fees, plus approximately $10 for a summons and $10.50 for the vital statistics fee, totaling roughly $428.50 in unavoidable court costs. Couples who handle all paperwork themselves and qualify for the simplified dissolution process can complete their divorce for under $500 total. Florida does not require attorney representation for any divorce proceeding, which means the filing fees are the only mandatory expense for a self-represented litigant.
The total cost of divorce in Florida depends heavily on the level of conflict between spouses and whether attorneys are involved. A fully contested divorce with two attorneys, expert witnesses, and a trial can cost $15,000 to $30,000 or more per spouse. An uncontested divorce handled by a single attorney for document preparation typically costs $1,000 to $3,000. Online divorce document preparation services charge between $150 and $500 for completing and filing forms. The cheapest path is a do-it-yourself simplified dissolution, which keeps costs to the $428.50 court minimum.
| Divorce Type | Estimated Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Simplified Dissolution | $408–$500 | 4–6 weeks |
| Online Document Service | $550–$900 | 6–10 weeks |
| Uncontested with Attorney | $1,000–$3,000 | 2–4 months |
| Mediated Divorce | $3,000–$8,000 | 3–6 months |
| Contested Divorce with Attorneys | $15,000–$30,000+ | 6–18 months |
As of March 2026. Verify current filing fees with your local clerk of court.
Who Qualifies for Florida Simplified Dissolution?
Florida simplified dissolution under Fla. Stat. § 61.052 is the cheapest and fastest divorce option, available to couples who meet all eight statutory requirements. Both spouses must agree the marriage is irretrievably broken, have no minor or dependent children, confirm neither party is pregnant, and agree that neither spouse seeks alimony. This process eliminates the need for formal discovery, depositions, or a trial.
To qualify for simplified dissolution in Florida, you and your spouse must meet every one of the following requirements:
- At least one spouse has lived in Florida for the past 6 months under Fla. Stat. § 61.021
- Both spouses agree the marriage is irretrievably broken
- The couple has no minor children (under 18) together
- The couple has no adopted minor children
- Neither spouse is currently pregnant
- Both spouses have agreed on the division of all assets and debts
- Neither spouse is seeking alimony
- Both spouses are willing to appear together at the final hearing
The simplified dissolution uses Florida Supreme Court Approved Form 12.901(a), the Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage. Both spouses must sign the petition and both must attend the final hearing in person. Florida courts cannot waive the joint appearance requirement for simplified dissolutions. If your spouse refuses to attend the final hearing, you must convert to a regular dissolution proceeding using Form 12.901(b).
How to File for a Cheap Divorce in Florida: Step-by-Step
Filing for an affordable divorce in Florida requires completing 5 to 7 forms, paying the $408 filing fee, and attending a final hearing after the mandatory 20-day waiting period under Fla. Stat. § 61.19. The entire process takes 4 to 6 weeks for simplified dissolutions and 2 to 4 months for standard uncontested divorces. Florida courts provide all required forms for free on the Florida Courts website.
Step 1: Determine which type of dissolution you qualify for. If you meet all eight simplified dissolution requirements, use Form 12.901(a). If you have children, property disputes, or one spouse who will not cooperate, use Form 12.901(b)(1) for cases with children or Form 12.901(b)(2) for cases with property but no children.
Step 2: Download free forms from the Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov. Navigate to Services, then Family Courts, then Family Law Forms. All Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms are available at no charge.
Step 3: Complete all required forms. For simplified dissolution, you need the Joint Petition (Form 12.901(a)), a Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or (c) depending on income), and a Marital Settlement Agreement (Form 12.902(f)(3)). Type or print all forms in black ink.
Step 4: File the petition with the Clerk of Court in the county where either spouse resides. Pay the $408 filing fee. If you cannot afford the fee, file an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status to request a fee waiver.
Step 5: Wait the mandatory 20-day period. Florida law prohibits any court from entering a final judgment of dissolution before 20 days have passed from the date the petition was filed.
Step 6: Attend the final hearing. For simplified dissolutions, both spouses must appear before the judge. Bring valid photo identification and your original marriage certificate if available. The hearing typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 7: Receive the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. The clerk will provide certified copies, typically for $2 to $5 per page.
How to Get a Fee Waiver for Divorce Filing in Florida
Florida residents who earn less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines can apply for a complete waiver of the $408 filing fee by filing an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status under Fla. Stat. § 57.082. In 2026, the 200% federal poverty threshold for a single person is approximately $30,120 annually, and $41,080 for a family of two. Approved applicants pay zero court filing fees.
To apply for indigent status, you must complete the Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status and submit it to the clerk of court at the time you file your divorce petition. The clerk will review your income, assets, and expenses. Florida law requires the clerk to consider your income from all sources, the number of dependents, and your liquid assets. If your application is denied, you can request a hearing before a judge within 10 days of the denial.
Documents to bring when applying for a fee waiver include proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefits statements), proof of government assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or SSI), a list of monthly expenses, and identification. Recipients of means-tested government benefits such as Medicaid or TANF are typically approved automatically.
Free and Low-Cost Legal Help for Florida Divorce
Florida operates a statewide network of legal aid organizations that provide free divorce representation to residents who meet income eligibility requirements, typically at or below 125% to 200% of the federal poverty level. The Florida Bar coordinates pro bono services through its Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services, connecting qualifying residents with volunteer attorneys across all 67 counties.
Free legal resources available to Florida residents seeking an affordable divorce include:
- Florida Courts Self-Help Centers: Every circuit court operates a self-help center staffed by court employees who can assist with form selection and completion. These centers cannot provide legal advice but can guide you through the filing process at no charge.
- Florida Law Help (floridalawhelp.org): A statewide website providing free legal information, self-help tools, and connections to local legal service providers for low-income Floridians.
- Legal Aid Foundation: Provides free legal representation in family law matters including divorce, child custody, and support modifications to income-qualifying residents.
- Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: Call 1-800-342-8011 for a referral to a local attorney who offers an initial 30-minute consultation for $25.
- Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida: Serves 12 counties in central Florida with free family law representation for qualifying clients.
- Florida Free Legal Answers: An online virtual legal advice clinic where income-qualifying residents can post civil legal questions and receive answers from volunteer attorneys.
Many Florida attorneys also offer unbundled legal services, also called limited-scope representation, where you hire an attorney to handle only specific parts of your divorce such as reviewing your settlement agreement or preparing financial affidavits. Limited-scope representation typically costs $200 to $800, compared to $3,000 or more for full representation.
How Florida Divides Property in a Cheap Divorce
Florida follows equitable distribution under Fla. Stat. § 61.075, meaning courts divide marital property fairly but not necessarily equally, starting with a presumption of 50/50 division. In an uncontested divorce where both spouses agree on property division, the court will typically approve the agreement as written without modification. Couples pursuing an affordable divorce in Florida save the most money by negotiating their own property division before filing.
Under Fla. Stat. § 61.075(1), marital assets include all property acquired during the marriage by either spouse, retirement benefits earned during the marriage, and any increase in value of separate property resulting from marital effort or funds. Separate property includes assets owned before the marriage, inheritances received by one spouse alone, and gifts from third parties to one spouse individually.
When spouses cannot agree on property division, the court considers 10 statutory factors listed in Fla. Stat. § 61.075(1) including the duration of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, each spouse's contribution to the marriage (including homemaking), and whether either spouse intentionally wasted marital assets within 2 years of filing. Disagreement over property division transforms a cheap divorce into an expensive one because contested equitable distribution often requires business valuations, real estate appraisals, and forensic accountants costing $5,000 to $20,000.
Alimony Considerations That Affect Divorce Costs in Florida
Florida recognizes four types of alimony under Fla. Stat. § 61.08: temporary alimony during the divorce, bridge-the-gap alimony for up to 2 years, rehabilitative alimony for up to 5 years, and durational alimony lasting no longer than 50% of the marriage length for short marriages under 10 years, 60% for moderate marriages of 10 to 20 years, and 75% for long marriages exceeding 20 years. Florida eliminated permanent alimony effective July 1, 2023 under Senate Bill 1416.
Alimony disputes are one of the fastest ways to turn a cheap divorce in Florida into an expensive one. Spouses who agree that neither party will seek alimony qualify for the simplified dissolution process, which keeps costs at the $408 filing fee minimum. When alimony is contested, both sides typically need attorneys, financial experts, and potentially vocational evaluators, pushing costs above $10,000 per spouse.
The cheapest approach for couples where one spouse earns significantly more is to negotiate alimony terms before filing using a marital settlement agreement (Form 12.902(f)(1) for cases with children or Form 12.902(f)(3) for cases without children). Both parties should disclose all income and assets using Florida Financial Affidavits, which are mandatory in every Florida dissolution case. Failure to disclose assets can result in the court setting aside the final judgment.
Mediation as a Cost-Saving Alternative in Florida
Florida courts routinely order mediation in contested divorce cases under Fla. Stat. § 44.102, and voluntary mediation before filing can reduce total divorce costs by 40% to 60% compared to litigation. Private divorce mediation in Florida typically costs $3,000 to $8,000 total, split between both spouses, compared to $15,000 to $30,000 or more per spouse for a contested trial. Many Florida mediators charge $150 to $350 per hour, with most divorces resolving in 2 to 4 mediation sessions.
Florida offers court-connected mediation programs in all 20 judicial circuits. Court-connected mediation fees are based on a sliding scale tied to income. Parties earning below $50,000 per year may qualify for reduced-rate mediation at $60 to $120 per hour. Some circuits provide free mediation for parties who demonstrate financial hardship.
Mediation is mandatory in Florida for disputes involving child custody (called "time-sharing" in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 61.13) in circuits that have established family mediation programs. Courts cannot order mediation if there is a history of domestic violence that would compromise the mediation process. If mediation fails, either party retains the right to proceed to trial.
Using Online Divorce Services in Florida
Online divorce document preparation services in Florida cost between $150 and $500 and are a practical middle ground for couples who want a cheap divorce but prefer not to complete legal forms entirely on their own. These services generate completed Florida Supreme Court Approved forms based on your answers to an online questionnaire. The service fee is in addition to the $408 court filing fee, bringing the total to roughly $550 to $900.
Online divorce services are best suited for uncontested divorces where both spouses agree on all terms. These services are not law firms and cannot provide legal advice, represent you in court, or negotiate with your spouse on your behalf. Under Florida law, non-attorney document preparation services must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and cannot charge more than $10 per page for document preparation.
Before using any online divorce service, verify the following: the service generates Florida-specific Supreme Court Approved forms (not generic templates), the service is registered with the state, the service provides customer support for filing questions, and the total cost including court filing fees and service charges. Some services advertise low initial prices but add fees for filing instructions, serving the other spouse, or providing the marital settlement agreement.
Common Mistakes That Make Florida Divorces More Expensive
The single most expensive mistake in a Florida divorce is failing to reach agreement with your spouse before filing. Converting an uncontested divorce to a contested one adds $10,000 to $25,000 in attorney fees and extends the timeline from weeks to months or years. Florida courts charge no additional filing fees for contested cases, but the professional costs of depositions ($500 to $2,000 each), expert witnesses ($3,000 to $15,000), and trial preparation make litigation the most expensive divorce path by a significant margin.
Avoid these costly errors when pursuing a cheap divorce in Florida:
- Filing in the wrong county, which can result in dismissal and re-filing fees of $408
- Failing to complete mandatory financial disclosure under Fla. Stat. § 61.052(6), which delays the case by 45 or more days
- Missing the 20-day waiting period and scheduling the final hearing too early, requiring rescheduling
- Forgetting to include retirement accounts, pensions, and stock options in the marital settlement agreement, which can reopen the case later
- Not addressing debt division in the settlement agreement, leaving both spouses liable for joint debts
- Failing to file a Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit when children are involved, which is required under Fla. Stat. § 61.522
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Florida?
The cheapest way to get a divorce in Florida is through a simplified dissolution of marriage, which costs $408 in filing fees plus approximately $20 in additional court costs. Both spouses must agree on all terms, have no minor children, and neither spouse can seek alimony. Free forms are available at flcourts.gov.
Can I get a divorce in Florida for free?
Yes, Florida allows residents who earn below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (approximately $30,120 for a single person in 2026) to file an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status under Fla. Stat. § 57.082 to waive all court filing fees. Combined with free court forms and self-help center assistance, total out-of-pocket costs can be zero.
How long does a cheap divorce take in Florida?
A simplified dissolution in Florida takes a minimum of 20 days due to the mandatory waiting period under Fla. Stat. § 61.19, with most cases finalizing in 4 to 6 weeks. Standard uncontested divorces take 2 to 4 months. Contested divorces average 6 to 18 months depending on the complexity of disputes.
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Florida?
Florida does not require attorney representation for any divorce proceeding. Approximately 70% of family law cases in Florida involve at least one self-represented party. The Florida Courts Self-Help Centers provide free assistance with form selection and completion, though they cannot give legal advice. An attorney is recommended for cases involving complex assets, custody disputes, or domestic violence.
What is the residency requirement for divorce in Florida?
At least one spouse must have resided in Florida for a minimum of 6 months before filing a divorce petition under Fla. Stat. § 61.021. Residency can be proven through a valid Florida driver's license, Florida voter registration card, or a sworn affidavit from a corroborating witness. Military personnel stationed in Florida satisfy this requirement.
How is property divided in a cheap Florida divorce?
Florida follows equitable distribution under Fla. Stat. § 61.075, starting with a presumption of equal (50/50) division of marital assets and debts. In an uncontested divorce, spouses can agree to any division they choose in their marital settlement agreement. Courts only intervene in property division when spouses cannot reach agreement.
Can I file for divorce online in Florida?
Florida supports electronic filing (e-filing) through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. All divorce petitions can be filed electronically, and the $408 filing fee can be paid online by credit card. You still must attend the final hearing in person. Online document preparation services (separate from e-filing) cost $150 to $500 for form completion.
What if my spouse does not agree to the divorce in Florida?
Florida is a no-fault divorce state under Fla. Stat. § 61.052, meaning a court will grant a divorce if either spouse testifies the marriage is irretrievably broken, regardless of the other spouse's objection. If your spouse does not respond to the petition within 20 days, you can request a default judgment. A non-cooperative spouse increases costs but cannot prevent the divorce.
Does Florida require a parenting course for divorce?
Yes, Florida requires all parties to a divorce with minor children to complete a Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course under Fla. Stat. § 61.21. The course is 4 hours long and costs $25 to $50 from approved providers. Both parents must complete the course before the court will enter a final judgment. Courts can waive the requirement for good cause.
How much does divorce mediation cost in Florida?
Private divorce mediation in Florida costs $3,000 to $8,000 total, typically split between both spouses, with mediators charging $150 to $350 per hour across 2 to 4 sessions. Court-connected mediation programs offer sliding-scale fees starting at $60 to $120 per hour based on income. Mediation saves 40% to 60% compared to full litigation costs of $15,000 to $30,000 or more per spouse.