What Is the Cheapest Way to Get a Divorce in Florida? (2026 Guide)
Find the most affordable divorce options in Florida. Compare DIY ($500), online services ($300-$500), and flat-fee attorneys ($995). Learn which option fits your situation.
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)
| Option | Total Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| DIY (self-filing) | $500-$600 | Simple cases, no kids, no assets |
| Online divorce service | $300-$500 + $409 filing | Uncontested, comfortable with forms |
| Flat-fee attorney | $995-$1,295 + $409 filing | Peace of mind, any uncontested case |
| Mediation + flat-fee | $1,500-$2,500 total | Minor disagreements to resolve |
| Hourly attorney | $3,000-$15,000+ | Contested cases requiring litigation |
---
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
---
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
---
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
| DIY Divorce | Flat-Fee Attorney |
|---|---|
| $500-$600 | $1,400-$1,700 |
| No legal advice | Full legal representation |
| Risk of mistakes | Professional preparation |
| You go to court alone | Attorney attends hearing |
| No one reviews terms | Attorney protects your interests |
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
---
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
---
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+).
---
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.
---
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.
---
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
| Ad Says | Reality |
|---|---|
| "$199 divorce" | Document typing only, no legal advice |
| "Online divorce $137" | Forms software, you figure out the rest |
| "Fast divorce guaranteed" | Marketing speak, courts set timelines |
---
Our Affordable Divorce Pricing
We offer flat-fee divorces designed to be affordable:
| Service | Price | Total with Filing |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontested (No Kids) | $995 | ~$1,405 |
| Uncontested (With Kids) | $1,295 | ~$1,705 |
| Contested Starter | $1,495 | ~$1,905 |
Why so affordable? AI-powered technology handles document preparation, letting us focus attorney time on what matters.
---
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?
Related Topics
Ready to Take Action?
Based on what you're reading, these services may help:
DIY+ Bundle
$595Petition + MSA + Strategy Session
Uncontested (No Kids)
$995Full representation to judgment
Strategy Session
$12530-minute call to assess your situation
All services include attorney review. Court filing fees not included.
Not sure which service you need?
Victoria AI can assess your situation and recommend the right option.
About the Author
Antonio G. Jimenez, Esq.
Florida Bar #21022 · 20+ Years Experience · LL.M. Trial Advocacy
Antonio is the founder of Divorce.law and creator of Victoria AI, our AI legal intake specialist. A U.S. Navy veteran and former felony prosecutor, he has handled thousands of family law cases across Florida. He built this firm to deliver efficient, transparent legal services using technology he developed himself.
Have questions? Ask Victoria AIFrequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get divorced in Florida?
DIY self-filing is cheapest at $500-$600 (filing fee plus forms). However, flat-fee attorney representation at $995-$1,295 offers much better value—professional legal protection for only $400-$700 more than doing it yourself.
How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Florida?
Uncontested divorce costs range from $500-$600 (DIY) to $995-$1,700 (flat-fee attorney). All options require the $408-$410 court filing fee. Online document services cost $300-$500 plus filing fees.
Can I get a divorce in Florida without a lawyer?
Yes, you can file pro se (without an attorney) in Florida. This works best for simple uncontested cases with no children and minimal assets. However, any mistakes in documents or procedure can cause delays or unfavorable outcomes.
Is online divorce legitimate in Florida?
Online divorce document services are legal but limited. They generate forms based on your answers but cannot give legal advice, represent you in court, or customize documents to your situation. For simple cases they work; for anything complex, an attorney is safer.
Still Have Questions?
Every situation is different. Chat with Victoria AI to get personalized guidance based on your specific circumstances.
Ask Victoria AIRelated Articles
How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Florida? (2026 Price Guide)
Complete guide to Florida divorce lawyer costs. Attorney fees range from $995 flat-fee to $50,000+ hourly. Compare pricing options and learn how to save money.
14 min readUncontested Divorce in Florida: Complete Guide to Fast, Affordable Divorce
Learn how to get an uncontested divorce in Florida. Requirements, process, timeline, and costs explained. The fastest path to divorce.
7 min readHow Much Is a Flat-Fee Divorce in Florida? (2026 Price Guide)
Complete guide to flat-fee divorce pricing in Florida. Compare costs from $995-$3,500 for uncontested divorces. Learn what's included and how to avoid hidden fees.
10 min read