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.
How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Florida?
Quick Answer: Florida divorce lawyer costs range from $995 for flat-fee uncontested divorces to $15,000-$50,000+ for hourly contested cases. The average hourly rate is $250-$450/hour, with most divorces requiring 15-60+ attorney hours.
Florida Divorce Lawyer Cost Summary (2026)
| Divorce Type | Flat-Fee Cost | Hourly Cost | Average Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested (no kids) | $995-$1,500 | $2,500-$5,000 | $1,500-$3,000 |
| Uncontested (with kids) | $1,295-$2,000 | $3,500-$7,500 | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Contested (settles) | $1,495-$3,500 | $7,500-$15,000 | $8,000-$15,000 |
| Contested (trial) | N/A | $15,000-$50,000+ | $25,000-$50,000+ |
| High-asset/complex | Custom | $50,000-$150,000+ | $75,000-$150,000+ |
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Florida Divorce Lawyer Hourly Rates by Region
Divorce lawyer fees vary significantly across Florida:
South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach)
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Associate (0-5 years) | $250-$350 |
| Mid-level (5-15 years) | $350-$500 |
| Senior/Partner (15+ years) | $500-$750+ |
| "Prestigious" firms | $750-$1,200 |
Central Florida (Orlando, Tampa)
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Associate (0-5 years) | $200-$300 |
| Mid-level (5-15 years) | $300-$400 |
| Senior/Partner (15+ years) | $400-$550 |
North Florida (Jacksonville, Tallahassee)
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Associate (0-5 years) | $175-$275 |
| Mid-level (5-15 years) | $275-$375 |
| Senior/Partner (15+ years) | $375-$500 |
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What's Included in Florida Divorce Lawyer Fees?
Typical Services Covered by Attorney Fees
Document Preparation:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902)
- Marital Settlement Agreement
- Parenting Plan (if children)
- Final Judgment documents
Legal Services:
- Legal advice and strategy
- Negotiations with opposing counsel
- Court filings and appearances
- Response to opposing motions
- Discovery (interrogatories, depositions)
Communication:
- Phone calls and emails
- Client meetings
- Correspondence with opposing party
What's NOT Included (Additional Costs)
| Additional Cost | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $300-$410 |
| Service of process | $40-$100 |
| Parenting course | $25-$40 |
| Mediation | $100-$500/hour |
| Guardian ad litem | $1,500-$5,000+ |
| Forensic accountant | $5,000-$25,000 |
| Business valuation | $3,000-$15,000 |
| Real estate appraisal | $300-$600 |
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Flat-Fee vs. Hourly Billing: Which Costs Less?
The Problem with Hourly Billing
Traditional hourly billing creates cost uncertainty:
How hourly billing adds up:
- Initial consultation: 1 hour = $300
- Document review and prep: 5-10 hours = $1,500-$3,000
- Phone calls/emails: 5-15 hours = $1,500-$4,500
- Negotiations: 5-20 hours = $1,500-$6,000
- Court appearances: 3-10 hours = $900-$3,000
- Total: $5,700-$16,800 (and that's if nothing goes wrong)
Hidden hourly costs:
- Every phone call billed in 6-15 minute increments
- Emails billed at $25-$75 each
- Travel time to court (often full hourly rate)
- "Research" that may duplicate prior work
- Paralegal time ($75-$150/hour)
The Flat-Fee Advantage
Flat-fee pricing eliminates uncertainty:
What flat-fee includes:
- All document preparation
- Unlimited phone calls and emails
- Negotiations with opposing party
- Court appearances
- Final hearing representation
- One price. No surprises.
Our flat-fee pricing:
| Service | Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontested (No Kids) | $995 | Complete representation through final judgment |
| Uncontested (With Kids) | $1,295 | Above + parenting plan + child support calculations |
| Contested Starter | $1,495 | Petition, discovery, one court appearance |
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How Retainers Work in Florida Divorce
What is a Retainer?
A retainer is an upfront payment that your attorney draws from as they work:
Typical retainer amounts:
- Simple uncontested: $1,500-$3,500
- Standard contested: $5,000-$10,000
- Complex/high-asset: $15,000-$50,000+
How it depletes:
The Retainer Trap
"I started with a $5,000 retainer thinking that would cover everything. Fourteen months later, I'd spent over $35,000. My ex spent about the same. We paid $70,000 in legal fees fighting over assets worth $150,000."
— Former Florida divorce client
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Factors That Increase Divorce Lawyer Costs
1. Contested Issues
Each contested issue multiplies costs:
| Issue | Additional Cost (Hourly) |
|---|---|
| Child custody dispute | $5,000-$25,000 |
| Alimony disagreement | $3,000-$15,000 |
| Property division conflict | $3,000-$20,000 |
| Business valuation | $5,000-$30,000 |
| Hidden assets investigation | $5,000-$50,000 |
2. High-Conflict Spouse
Difficult opposing parties increase costs:
- Refusing to provide documents (+$2,000-$10,000)
- Excessive motions (+$5,000-$20,000)
- Multiple hearing requests (+$3,000-$15,000)
- Last-minute settlement rejections (+$5,000-$25,000)
3. Complex Assets
| Asset Type | Additional Complexity Cost |
|---|---|
| Business ownership | $5,000-$50,000 |
| Stock options/RSUs | $2,000-$10,000 |
| Multiple properties | $2,000-$15,000 |
| Retirement accounts | $1,000-$5,000 |
| Cryptocurrency | $2,000-$10,000 |
4. Trial
Going to trial dramatically increases costs:
Pre-trial preparation: $10,000-$25,000
Trial days (at $3,000-$5,000/day): $15,000-$50,000+
Post-trial motions: $2,000-$10,000
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How to Reduce Florida Divorce Lawyer Costs
1. Pursue an Uncontested Divorce
Cost difference:
- Uncontested: $995-$3,000
- Contested: $15,000-$50,000+
Even if you have disagreements, negotiate directly with your spouse before involving attorneys.
2. Choose Flat-Fee Representation
Flat-fee eliminates:
- Surprise bills
- Fear of calling your attorney
- The "meter running" feeling
- Incentive for prolonged litigation
3. Organize Your Documents
Documents to gather before hiring an attorney:
- Tax returns (3 years)
- Pay stubs (3 months)
- Bank statements (all accounts, 3 months)
- Retirement account statements
- Property deeds and mortgage statements
- Vehicle titles
- Credit card statements
- Business financial statements (if applicable)
Organization saves 5-15 hours of attorney time ($1,500-$4,500 at hourly rates).
4. Communicate Efficiently
For hourly clients:
- Batch questions into one email/call
- Write questions before calling
- Stick to legal issues (save venting for friends/therapist)
- Respond promptly to document requests
5. Consider Mediation
Mediation costs: $100-$500/hour
Average mediation: 4-8 hours
Total mediation cost: $400-$4,000
Compare to trial: $15,000-$50,000+
6. Use AI-Powered Law Firms
Modern technology reduces costs through:
- Automated document generation
- AI-powered financial analysis
- Streamlined communication
- Efficient case management
Our savings vs. traditional firms:
| Service | Traditional Hourly | Our Flat Fee | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested (no kids) | $3,500-$7,000 | $995 | Up to 86% |
| Uncontested (with kids) | $5,000-$10,000 | $1,295 | Up to 87% |
| Contested starter | $10,000-$25,000 | $1,495 | Up to 94% |
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Florida Divorce Lawyer Cost FAQ
How much does an uncontested divorce lawyer cost in Florida?
Answer: An uncontested divorce lawyer in Florida costs $995-$3,000 with flat-fee attorneys or $2,500-$7,000 with hourly attorneys. Plus court filing fees of $300-$410.
What is the cheapest way to get divorced in Florida?
Answer: The cheapest options for Florida divorce are:
Best value: Flat-fee attorney representation provides full legal protection at predictable cost.
Can I get a free divorce lawyer in Florida?
Answer: Free divorce representation is available through:
- Legal Aid: Income restrictions apply (typically under 125-200% of poverty level)
- Pro Bono programs: Limited availability, waitlists common
- Law school clinics: Limited to certain case types
Most middle-class Floridians don't qualify for free legal services.
Why do divorce lawyers charge so much?
Answer: Traditional divorce lawyers charge high fees because:
AI-powered firms charge less because:
- Technology handles time-consuming tasks
- Flat-fee model incentivizes efficiency
- Lower overhead with modern systems
How much is a divorce lawyer retainer in Florida?
Answer: Florida divorce lawyer retainers typically range from:
- Simple uncontested: $1,500-$3,500
- Standard contested: $5,000-$10,000
- Complex/high-asset: $15,000-$50,000+
The retainer depletes as the attorney works, and you'll likely need to replenish it.
Do I really need a divorce lawyer in Florida?
Answer: While not legally required, a divorce lawyer is strongly recommended if:
- You have children
- You have significant assets or debts
- You own a home
- You or your spouse has retirement accounts
- Your spouse has an attorney
- There's any disagreement on terms
- You're unsure of your rights
Risks of no attorney:
- Giving up rights you didn't know you had
- Accepting unfair settlements
- Making costly procedural errors
- Missing important deadlines
How do I find an affordable divorce lawyer in Florida?
Answer: To find affordable divorce representation:
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Our Transparent Pricing
At Resolute Divorce Law, we believe you deserve to know exactly what you'll pay before you hire us.
À La Carte Services
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Strategy Session | $95 |
| Phone Consultation (30 min) | $125 |
| Document Review | $295 |
| Remote Hearing Representation | $395 |
| Document Preparation Package | $295 |
Packages
| Package | Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontested (No Kids) | $995 | Complete representation, all documents, remote final hearing |
| Uncontested (With Kids) | $1,295 | Above + parenting plan + child support |
| Contested Starter | $1,495 | Petition, discovery, one remote hearing |
Note: Court filing fees ($300-$410) not included in any service.
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Why We Can Charge Less
We built Victoria AI OS—our proprietary legal technology—specifically to handle the time-consuming parts of divorce representation. This allows our Florida-licensed attorneys to focus on what matters: strategy, advocacy, and your outcome.
Technology handles:
- Document drafting and review
- Financial analysis
- Case law research
- Deadline tracking
- Client communication portals
Attorneys handle:
- Legal strategy
- Negotiations
- Court appearances
- Client counseling
- Final review of all work
Every piece of AI-generated work is reviewed by a licensed Florida attorney. You get the cost savings of technology with the protection of real legal expertise.
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Get Your Free Cost Estimate
Ready to learn exactly what your Florida divorce will cost? Schedule a $95 Strategy Session to:
- Discuss your specific situation
- Determine if your case qualifies as uncontested
- Get a clear, flat-fee quote
- Understand all your options
No obligation. No pressure. No surprise bills.
Related Topics
Ready to Take Action?
Based on what you're reading, these services may help:
Strategy Session
$9530-minute call to assess your situation
Uncontested (No Kids)
$995Full representation to judgment
Uncontested (With Kids)
$1295Full representation + parenting
All services include attorney review. Court filing fees not included.
About the Author
Antonio G. Jimenez, Esq.
Florida Bar #21022 · 20+ Years Experience · LL.M. Trial Advocacy
Antonio is the founder of Resolute Divorce Law and creator of Victoria AI OS. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Florida in 2026?
Florida divorce lawyer costs range from $995 for flat-fee uncontested divorces to $15,000-$50,000+ for hourly contested cases. The average hourly rate is $250-$450, with most attorneys requiring $3,000-$10,000 retainers upfront.
What is the cheapest way to get divorced in Florida?
The cheapest way is a flat-fee uncontested divorce starting at $995, which includes all document preparation, filing, and final hearing representation. This is significantly less than hourly billing which typically costs $2,500-$7,000 for the same service.
Why do divorce lawyers charge so much?
Traditional divorce lawyers bill hourly ($250-$500/hour) and profit from lengthy cases. Flat-fee firms like ours use AI technology to work efficiently, passing savings to clients. We charge $995-$1,495 for complete representation that would cost $5,000-$15,000 at hourly firms.
Do I need a lawyer for divorce in Florida?
While not legally required, having an attorney protects your rights and ensures fair outcomes. Our flat-fee pricing ($995-$1,495) makes professional representation affordable—often less than the cost of mistakes in a DIY divorce.
What is included in a flat-fee divorce?
Our flat-fee packages include: all document preparation, court filing, financial affidavit assistance, marital settlement agreement, parenting plan (if applicable), and final hearing representation. No hidden fees or hourly charges.
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