What Is the Cheapest Way to Get a Divorce in Florida? (2026 Guide)

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get a Divorce in Florida?

Quick Answer: The cheapest divorce in Florida is a DIY uncontested divorce costing approximately $500-$600 total (just filing fees and forms). However, the best value is often a flat-fee attorney at $995-$1,295 — professional legal protection for only $400-$700 more.

Florida Divorce Cost Comparison (2026)

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Option 1: DIY Divorce (Cheapest)

Cost: ~$500-$600 total

What You'll Pay

• Court filing fee: $408-$410
• Forms (free online or $20-$50 for packets)
• Copies and notarization: $20-$50
• Process server (if needed): $40-$75

How DIY Divorce Works

DIY Works Best When

• Both spouses agree on everything
• No children or simple custody agreement
• Minimal assets and debts
• No retirement accounts to divide
• No real estate or straightforward home division
• Both parties are cooperative
• Neither spouse has an attorney

DIY Risks

Mistakes are common and costly:

• Incorrect forms can be rejected, causing delays
• Missing deadlines can harm your case
• Property division errors are hard to fix later
• Child support miscalculations affect your kids
• Parenting plans with gaps cause future conflicts
• No legal advice = no one protecting your interests

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Option 2: Online Divorce Services

Cost: $300-$500 + $409 filing fee = $700-$900 total

What Online Services Provide

• Questionnaire to gather your information
• Computer-generated forms (not attorney-reviewed)
• Filing instructions
• Some include e-filing

Popular Online Divorce Services

• LegalZoom: $499 + filing fees
• DivorceWriter: $137 + filing fees
• 3StepDivorce: $299 + filing fees
• MyDivorcePapers: $159 + filing fees

Online Service Limitations

These are NOT attorneys:

• Cannot give legal advice
• Cannot represent you in court
• Cannot negotiate with your spouse
• Cannot review your spouse's responses
• Forms are template-based, not customized

When Online Services Work

• Truly uncontested (no disputes)
• No children or simple custody
• You understand legal terminology
• You're comfortable reviewing documents yourself
• Your spouse is cooperative

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Option 3: Flat-Fee Attorney (Best Value)

Cost: $995-$1,295 + $409 filing fee = $1,400-$1,700 total

Why Flat-Fee Is Often the Best Value

For only $400-$700 more than DIY, you get:

• Licensed attorney preparing your documents
• Legal advice tailored to your situation
• Error prevention — attorney catches mistakes
• Court representation at final hearing
• Protection — someone advocating for your interests
• Peace of mind — know it's done correctly

The Math Makes Sense

Is $400-$700 worth avoiding costly mistakes? For most people, yes.

Flat-Fee Coverage

Standard flat-fee includes:

• All divorce paperwork prepared
• Marital Settlement Agreement drafted
• Parenting Plan (if kids)
• Child Support calculation
• E-filing with court
• Final hearing attendance
• Unlimited questions during process

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Option 4: Simplified Dissolution (If You Qualify)

Cost: Same as DIY or flat-fee, but faster process

Simplified Dissolution Requirements

Florida offers a faster "simplified" divorce if ALL of these apply:

• No minor children (and wife not pregnant)
• Both parties agree divorce is irretrievable
• Property and debts already divided
• Neither party seeks alimony
• Both parties will attend final hearing together

Benefits

• Faster processing (can be finalized in weeks)
• Less paperwork required
• Single hearing with both spouses present

Downside

• Very limited eligibility
• Must waive rights to trial, alimony, appeals
• Not ideal if any future disputes possible

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Option 5: Mediation + Flat-Fee (For Minor Disagreements)

Cost: $1,500-$2,500 total

When to Use This Option

If you and your spouse agree on most things but have a few sticking points:

• Can't agree on exact custody schedule
• Disagree on one asset's value
• Unsure about support amount

How It Works

Cost Breakdown

• Mediation: $450-$1,200 (your half)
• Flat-fee attorney: $995-$1,295
• Filing fee: $409
• Total: $1,850-$2,900

Still far cheaper than contested litigation ($10,000-$25,000+).

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What About Free Divorce?

Legal Aid (Income-Qualified)

If your income is below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for free legal assistance:

• Florida Legal Services: 1-800-405-1417
• Legal Aid Society: County-specific offices
• Florida Bar Lawyer Referral: Some pro bono programs

Law School Clinics

Florida law schools offer supervised legal clinics:

• FIU Law (Miami)
• UM Law (Miami)
• UF Law (Gainesville)
• FSU Law (Tallahassee)

Fee Waiver

If you can't afford filing fees, you can request an "Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status." If approved, court waives the $409 filing fee.

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Cost Comparison by Situation

No Kids, No Property, Both Agree

Cheapest option: DIY ($500-$600)

Best value: Flat-fee ($1,400)

Kids, Both Agree on Custody

Cheapest option: DIY ($500-$600) — but risky

Best value: Flat-fee with kids ($1,700) — protects children's interests

Some Disagreements, Not Hostile

Best option: Mediation + flat-fee ($1,850-$2,500)

Contested, Spouse Won't Cooperate

Only option: Hourly attorney ($5,000-$25,000+)

No cheap path through litigation.

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Warning: "Cheap Divorce" Scams

Red Flags

• "Divorce for $99" — Filing fee alone is $409
• "Guaranteed 30-day divorce" — No one controls court timelines
• "No attorney needed" — True for some, risky for many
• Unlicensed "document preparers" — Cannot give legal advice

What Cheap Ads Actually Mean

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Our Affordable Divorce Pricing

We offer flat-fee divorces designed to be affordable:

Why so affordable? AI-powered technology handles document preparation, letting us focus attorney time on what matters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the absolute cheapest divorce in Florida?

DIY self-filing costs approximately $500-$600 (filing fee plus forms and copies). However, this only works for completely uncontested cases with no children and minimal assets. Any mistakes can cost more to fix than hiring an attorney.

Is it worth paying for a lawyer for an uncontested divorce?

Often yes. A flat-fee attorney costs $995-$1,295 — only $400-$700 more than DIY — but provides legal advice, error prevention, court representation, and peace of mind. For divorces involving children, property, or retirement accounts, professional help is strongly recommended.

Can I get divorced for free in Florida?

If you qualify for legal aid (low income) or a court fee waiver, yes. Contact Florida Legal Services (1-800-405-1417) or your county's Legal Aid office. You can also request indigent status to waive the $409 filing fee.

How can I reduce my divorce costs?