How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Miami? (2026 Pricing)

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Miami?

Quick Answer: Miami divorce lawyers cost $995-$1,500 for flat-fee uncontested divorces or $300-$500+/hour for hourly billing. Total costs range from $1,500 (simple uncontested) to $50,000+ (contested high-asset cases).

Miami-Dade County has some of Florida's highest divorce attorney rates due to the cost of living and competitive legal market.

Miami Divorce Lawyer Cost Summary (2026)

Plus filing fees: Miami-Dade Circuit Court charges $409 to file a dissolution of marriage.

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Miami Divorce Lawyer Hourly Rates

By Experience Level

Why Miami Rates Are Higher

Miami divorce lawyers charge 20-40% more than the Florida average because:

• High cost of living — Office space in Brickell/Downtown is expensive
• Competitive market — Many attorneys competing for high-net-worth clients
• Complex cases — Miami has more international assets, business owners, real estate
• Bilingual requirements — Spanish-speaking attorneys command premiums

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Flat-Fee Divorce Options in Miami

Why Flat-Fee Makes Sense in Miami

Given Miami's high hourly rates, flat-fee representation offers significant savings:

What Flat-Fee Includes in Miami

Standard flat-fee divorce services:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Marital Settlement Agreement
• Parenting Plan (if applicable)
• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
• Financial Affidavit
• E-filing with Miami-Dade Circuit Court
• Final hearing representation

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Miami-Dade Court Filing Fees

Where to file: Miami-Dade Family Court, 175 NW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33128

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Factors That Increase Miami Divorce Costs

Case Complexity

Higher costs expected if:

• International assets or business interests
• Real estate in multiple counties/countries
• Stock options, RSUs, cryptocurrency
• Business valuations required
• Prenuptial agreement disputes
• Hidden assets suspected

Custody Disputes

Miami custody battles are expensive:

• Guardian ad litem: $2,500-$10,000
• Custody evaluation: $3,000-$8,000
• Additional hearings: $1,500-$5,000 each
• Parenting coordinator: $200-$400/hour

High-Conflict Spouse

If your spouse is difficult:

• More attorney hours required
• Additional motions and hearings
• Possible contempt proceedings
• Extended timeline = more fees

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How to Save Money on Miami Divorce

1. Choose Flat-Fee Representation

For uncontested or low-conflict cases, flat-fee saves 50-80% compared to hourly billing.

2. Agree on Terms Before Filing

The more you and your spouse agree on upfront:

• Property division
• Custody/time-sharing
• Child support
• Alimony

...the less attorney time required.

3. Consider Mediation First

Miami mediation costs $300-$500/hour (split between parties). A 4-hour session ($600-$1,000 each) can resolve issues that would cost $10,000+ in litigation.

4. Organize Your Documents

Bring to your first consultation:

• 3 years of tax returns
• Bank statements
• Retirement account statements
• Property deeds
• Vehicle titles
• Debt statements

Organized clients save attorney time = lower fees.

5. Use Unbundled Services

If you can't afford full representation:

• Document review only: $149-$300
• Strategy session: $125-$195
• Coaching for self-representation: $195-$300
• Single hearing appearance: $495-$1,000

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Warning: Cheap Miami Divorce Ads

Red Flags

Be suspicious of Miami divorce ads offering:

• "Divorce for $199" — Court filing alone costs $409
• "No attorney needed" — Risky for any contested issues
• "Guaranteed quick divorce" — No one can guarantee timeline
• Non-attorney "legal document preparers" — Cannot give legal advice

What $199 Usually Means

• Document typing service (not legal representation)
• DIY forms with no review
• Paralegal services (cannot appear in court)
• Bait-and-switch with add-on fees

Legitimate Budget Options

• Legal aid (income-qualified): Free
• Law school clinics: Free or low-cost
• Flat-fee attorneys: $995-$1,500
• Unbundled services: $125-$500 per service

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Our Miami Divorce Pricing

We serve Miami-Dade County with transparent flat-fee pricing:

Why our prices are lower: We use AI-powered technology to handle document preparation and case management efficiently, passing the savings to clients.

Filing fees ($409) are separate — we don't hide this in inflated "package" prices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Miami divorce lawyers so expensive?

Miami has Florida's highest divorce attorney rates due to high office costs (Brickell, Downtown), a competitive market for wealthy clients, complex international and business cases, and demand for bilingual attorneys. Expect to pay 20-40% more than Orlando or Tampa.

Can I get a cheap divorce in Miami?

Yes. Uncontested flat-fee divorces start at $995 plus the $409 filing fee. If you and your spouse agree on all terms, you don't need expensive hourly representation. Be cautious of ads promising divorces under $500—filing fees alone are $409.

What's the average retainer for a Miami divorce lawyer?

Miami divorce attorney retainers typically range from $3,000-$5,000 for associates, $5,000-$10,000 for experienced attorneys, and $10,000-$25,000+ for senior partners or high-asset cases. The retainer is an advance against hourly billing—you may owe more or get a refund.

Should I hire a Miami lawyer or one outside Miami-Dade?

For Miami-Dade cases, a local attorney has advantages: familiarity with local judges, court procedures, and opposing counsel. However, Florida attorneys can practice statewide. If a non-Miami attorney offers better pricing or expertise, they can still represent you.