Broward County Divorce Lawyer: Fort Lauderdale & Local Guide (2026)

Divorce in Broward County: Your Complete Fort Lauderdale Area Guide

Quick Answer: Broward County divorce filing fees are $409. Uncontested divorces typically take 5-7 weeks; contested cases take 4-14 months depending on complexity.

Broward County, home to Fort Lauderdale and Florida's second-largest population, has specific procedures and requirements for divorce cases.

Broward County Divorce Filing Fees (2026)

Where to File: Broward County Courthouse

Main Courthouse:

Broward County Courthouse

201 SE 6th Street

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Family Division Location: Central Courthouse

Clerk of Court Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Self-Service Center:

• Room 01120, Ground Floor
• Phone: (954) 831-7755

Broward County Specific Procedures

Case Management System

Broward County uses active case management with:

• Early case management conferences
• Specific discovery deadlines
• Mandatory mediation before trial

Financial Disclosure Timeline

Within 45 days of service, exchange:

• Financial Affidavit
• Tax returns (3 years)
• Pay stubs (3 months)
• Bank statements (3 months)

Mediation Requirement

Mediation is required before trial for contested issues.

Broward Mediation Costs:

• Court-connected program: $100-$150/hour
• Private mediator: $250-$500/hour

Broward County Divorce Timeline

Broward County Attorney Fees

Unique Broward County Considerations

Waterfront Properties

Broward's extensive waterway system means divorces often involve:

• Waterfront homes with premium values
• Boats and marine vessels
• Dock rights and marina memberships

Retirement Communities

Significant retirement populations create divorces involving:

• Substantial retirement assets
• Social Security considerations
• Medicare and health insurance planning

Snowbird Situations

Many Broward residents split time between Florida and northern states, creating:

• Residency questions
• Jurisdiction issues
• Property division across states

Local Resources in Broward County

Legal Aid:

• Coast to Coast Legal Aid: (954) 736-2400
• Legal Aid Service of Broward County: (954) 765-8950

Domestic Violence:

• Women In Distress: (954) 761-1133 (24-hour)
• Nancy J. Cotterman Center: (954) 357-5775

Self-Service Center:

• Phone: (954) 831-7755
• Website: browardclerk.org

Cities Served in Broward County

We represent clients throughout Broward County:

• Fort Lauderdale
• Hollywood
• Pembroke Pines
• Coral Springs
• Miramar
• Davie
• Plantation
• Sunrise
• Pompano Beach
• Deerfield Beach
• Weston
• Hallandale Beach
• All Broward municipalities

Frequently Asked Questions: Broward Divorce

Q: Which courthouse do I file at?

A: All Broward divorces file at the main courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, regardless of where you live in the county.

Q: Can I avoid going to court in person?

A: Yes! Most Broward County hearings are now conducted remotely via Zoom, Webex, or Teams. For uncontested divorces, you'll attend a brief remote final hearing (10-15 minutes) from the comfort of your home.

Q: How is property divided in Broward County?

A: Florida uses "equitable distribution," meaning fair (not necessarily equal) division based on circumstances.

Schedule Your Broward County Strategy Session

Schedule a $125 Strategy Session to discuss your Broward County divorce. We'll explain procedures, assess your situation, and provide a clear flat-fee quote.