Divorce Lawyer in Key West, Florida
Affordable flat-fee divorce services for Key West residents. No $5,000 retainers. No hourly billing surprises. A complete uncontested divorce — with or without children — for a $750 flat fee.
$750
Uncontested Divorce
Typically 2–4 weeks after filing
Typical Timeline
$0
Retainer Required
Divorce Attorney Serving Key West & Monroe County
Key West anchors the remote southern end of the Florida Keys, where reaching a mainland office is impractical. Our 100% remote, flat $750 uncontested divorce was built for exactly this.
Key West sits at the end of the Overseas Highway, a close-knit island community where the economy runs on tourism, commercial fishing, the military presence at Naval Air Station Key West, and a vibrant arts scene. Because so many residents earn their living from seasonal hospitality work, boats, federal service, or creative trades, divorces here tend to look different from those in a typical mainland suburb. Incomes fluctuate with the tourist season, property is scarce and expensive, and a meaningful share of couples have ties to the Navy. Those realities shape what an uncontested divorce actually involves for a Key West couple.
The island's biggest complications tend to cluster around three things. Real estate on a small island where inventory is tight and values run high means dividing or valuing a marital home takes more thought than a standard subdivision property. Fishing and hospitality income is often irregular and partly cash-based, so documenting earnings for a truthful financial disclosure requires care. And with a Naval Air Station in town, one or both spouses may be active-duty service members, which brings servicemember protections and questions about residency and where to file into the picture. None of these issues make an agreement impossible, but they do reward a process that knows to ask about them up front.
An uncontested divorce assumes you and your spouse already agree on the terms, and that is exactly where a $750 flat-fee, AI-efficient process fits Key West life. Instead of paying a traditional retainer and driving to repeated in-person meetings, you complete a guided intake online, at your own pace, from anywhere on the island or offshore. The intake is built to surface the local wrinkles that matter here, such as how you are handling the house, how you are documenting income that does not arrive in even paychecks, and whether military service affects your filing. When your answers are complete, a licensed Florida attorney reviews and prepares your documents. The flat fee is the attorney fee only; the Monroe County court filing fee and any notary charges are separate.
If you and your spouse agree on the major terms and both are willing to sign, it is worth a few minutes to see whether your situation fits an uncontested filing. Every case is different, so the honest first step is simply checking whether you qualify.
Unique Divorce Challenges in Key West
Key West's island property market is unusually tight and high-priced, so a marital home, condo, or liveaboard vessel often needs a clear valuation and a specific plan for who keeps it or how the equity is split before an uncontested agreement is finalized.
Many residents earn a living from commercial fishing or seasonal hospitality work where income arrives irregularly and sometimes partly in cash, which makes assembling accurate documentation for the required financial disclosure more involved than it would be for a steady salaried worker.
With Naval Air Station Key West in the community, one or both spouses may be active-duty military, which brings servicemember protections and questions about legal residency and the proper place to file into an otherwise straightforward divorce.
Arts and creative-trade households, common on the island, may hold assets like studio equipment, inventory, or intellectual property that spouses should account for so the agreement reflects everything they actually own.
Because the tourism economy is seasonal, a couple's finances can look very different depending on the time of year, so it helps to describe income realistically rather than from a single snapshot when preparing disclosures.
Monroe County Court Filing Fees
| Document/Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (total with 4% card fee) | $425.16 |
| Answer/Response Filing | $295 |
| Motion Filing | $50 |
| Subpoena Issuance | $10 |
| Certified Copies (per page) | $2 |
* Fee waivers available for qualifying individuals based on income
How to File for Divorce in Monroe County
File Petition for Dissolution at Monroe County Family Court (online or at 500 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040)
Pay the court filing fee — approximately $425.16 total (includes 4% convenience fee for card payments; verify the current amount with the clerk; fee waiver available)
Serve your spouse via waiver of service (uncontested cases)
Spouse has 20 days to respond after service
Exchange mandatory financial disclosures within 45 days
Complete Parent Education Course if children are involved (4 hours)
Attend mediation, which is required before trial if any issues remain unresolved
No court appearance required for uncontested cases — your divorce is finalized by filing
Divorce Timeline in Key West
2-3 weeks
Simplified Dissolution
No children, minimal assets, full agreement
Typically 2–4 weeks after filing
Uncontested Divorce
Agreement on all terms
6-12 months
Contested Divorce
Disputes requiring litigation
Monroe County Family Court Information
Monroe County Family Court
500 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040
By Antonio G. Jimenez | Florida Bar No. 21022 | Last Reviewed: June 2026
# Uncontested Divorce in Key West, Florida (2026 Guide)
FloridaDivorce.law handles a flat-fee $750 uncontested divorce for Key West residents, 100% remote, attorney-prepared and reviewed before anything is filed. You and your spouse must agree the marriage is over, the legal standard under Fla. Stat. §61.052. The Monroe County court filing fee is $408 and is paid to the clerk separately. No office visits, no hourly billing, no surprise charges.
Does Your Key West Divorce Qualify as Uncontested?
Your Key West divorce qualifies as uncontested when you and your spouse agree on everything: the decision to divorce and how to divide property, debts, and any parenting issues. Disagreement on even one major item can push a case into contested territory, which costs far more and takes much longer. The good news is that most couples agree on more than they expect once the conversation starts.
| Your situation | Likely uncontested? |
|---|---|
| No minor children and no shared property | Yes, almost always |
| Children or property, but you fully agree on the terms | Yes, when the agreement is complete |
| Your spouse will not respond or sign anything | No, this becomes a default or contested case |
| You actively disagree on support, time-sharing, or assets | No, this is contested |
In my experience, the couples who think they have a complicated case usually do not. A house, a couple of retirement accounts, and a parenting schedule are routine for an uncontested filing when both spouses are on the same page. What matters is agreement, not the size of the estate.
How Much Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost in Key West?
An uncontested divorce in Key West has two main costs: the flat attorney fee and the court filing fee, plus a few small items depending on your situation. Knowing the full picture up front is part of why a flat fee works so well, because there is nothing left to guess at.
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-fee attorney service | $750 | Document prep, attorney review, filing, and guidance to final judgment |
| Court filing fee (Monroe County) | $408 | Paid to the Clerk of the Circuit Court |
| Service of process | $0 to ~$40 | Often waived when your spouse signs voluntarily |
| Parenting course (if minor children) | ~$25 to $40 | Required online course, completed before final judgment |
The flat fee is the same whether or not you have minor children. With children, the package simply includes the parenting plan, the child support guidelines worksheet under Fla. Stat. §61.30, and the UCCJEA affidavit at no extra charge. Compare that to traditional retainers of $5,000 to $7,500, and the value of predictable cost becomes obvious.
What Are the Residency Requirements to File for Divorce in Key West?
At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing, the rule set by Fla. Stat. §61.021. This is a hard requirement, and the court cannot grant a divorce without it. You do not both need to meet the six months; one spouse satisfying the residency requirement is enough for the case to proceed in Monroe County.
Residency is proven by a Florida driver's license, voter registration, or a sworn statement from a witness who can confirm your time in the state. Because Key West draws so many seasonal residents and military families stationed at Naval Air Station Key West, this step matters more here than in many places, and it is worth confirming early.
What if I just moved to Key West?
If neither you nor your spouse has lived in Florida for a full six months, you cannot file yet. You may need to wait until the six-month mark, or your spouse may be able to file in another state where residency is met. Military members stationed in Key West can often establish Florida residency through their stationing and home-of-record status, which we review case by case.
How Do You File for an Uncontested Divorce in Key West? (Step-by-Step)
Filing an uncontested divorce in Key West follows a clear sequence through the Monroe County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Florida's e-filing system. Here is how the process works from start to finish.
We handle the document preparation, attorney review, and e-filing for you, so you are not navigating myflcourtaccess.com or the clerk's intake process alone.
What Forms Do You Need for an Uncontested Divorce in Key West?
A Key West uncontested divorce uses a standard set of Florida Supreme Court approved forms, and the exact ones depend on whether you have children or property. These are official statewide forms, available at flcourts.gov, and the Monroe County clerk accepts them through the e-filing portal.
| Form number | Form name | When required |
|---|---|---|
| 12.901(a) / 12.901(b)(1) / 12.901(b)(2) | Petition for Dissolution of Marriage | Always, the version depends on your situation |
| 12.902 series | Financial Affidavit and disclosure or waiver | Required under Rule 12.285, waivable by agreement |
| 12.913 | Documents related to service of process | When your spouse must be served |
| 12.990 series | Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage | Always, signed by the judge to finalize |
Where property is divided, the marital settlement agreement reflects the equitable distribution standard under Fla. Stat. §61.075. Getting the right form, with the right attachments, is exactly where DIY filings stall, and where attorney preparation saves you weeks.
Have a question about your situation? Ask Victoria for a quick, no-pressure answer.
How Long Does an Uncontested Divorce Take in Key West?
Many uncontested divorces in Key West finalize in about two weeks when both spouses sign promptly, though court timing always varies. The single fixed delay is the 20-day waiting period under Fla. Stat. §61.19, which the clock cannot skip. Everything else depends on how fast documents are signed and how busy the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit's calendar is.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Document preparation and attorney review | 1 to 3 days |
| Filing with the Monroe County clerk | Same day, once signed |
| 20-day statutory waiting period | 20 days minimum (Fla. Stat. §61.19) |
| Final review and judge's signature | A few days to a few weeks |
| Realistic total | About 2 to 6 weeks |
We never guarantee a specific date because court scheduling is outside any attorney's control. What we control is speed on our end, so your case is ready the moment the waiting period ends.
What Happens at the Final Hearing for an Uncontested Divorce in Key West?
The final hearing for an uncontested divorce in Key West is short, often under ten minutes, and confirms that the agreement is voluntary and the marriage is irretrievably broken. The judge in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit reviews your settlement, asks a few routine questions, and signs the final judgment under Form 12.990. There is no fighting and no surprise, because everything was agreed before you arrived.
Can the final hearing be waived in Key West?
In many simplified and uncontested cases, the hearing can be brief or handled without a full in-person appearance, depending on the judge and the circuit's current practice. Because procedures shift, we confirm the current Monroe County approach for each case rather than promising a particular outcome. Where an appearance is required, it is brief and we prepare you for exactly what to expect.
Why Key West Residents Choose FloridaDivorce.law
Key West sits at the far end of US-1, hours from many Florida courthouses, which is exactly why remote handling matters here. We prepare, review, and file your entire case online, so you never drive the Overseas Highway for paperwork. Your divorce moves forward from your kitchen table.
The fee is a flat $750 with no surprise billing, the same price whether or not you have minor children. You know the cost before you start, and there is no meter running on every phone call. That predictability is the opposite of the hourly retainer model that drains uncertain estates.
Victoria, our AI assistant, prepares your documents quickly, and a licensed Florida attorney reviews every filing before it reaches the Monroe County clerk. You get the speed of technology with the judgment of an attorney who is accountable for the work. Nothing is filed without that review.
We handle a flat $750 uncontested divorce, attorney-prepared and reviewed, 100% remote, serving all 67 Florida counties, a sharp contrast with DIY form sites that leave you alone and hourly firms that bill the clock. For Key West specifically, we understand island realities like seasonal residency questions, fishing-industry income documentation, and military divorces tied to Naval Air Station Key West.
Key West deserves a divorce process that respects how far you are from the mainland courts, not one that ignores it. If you and your spouse agree the marriage is over, you can have it handled cleanly and affordably without leaving the island. We serve Key West entirely online, from the first document to the final judgment. When you are ready, we are ready to begin.
About the Author: Antonio G. Jimenez is a Florida-licensed family law attorney (Bar No. 21022) and founder of FloridaDivorce.law. He handles flat-fee uncontested divorces for clients throughout all 67 Florida counties. All filings are handled remotely, so clients never need to appear at a courthouse or law office.
This article provides general legal information and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Florida law and court procedures may change. Verify current requirements with the Monroe County Clerk of the Circuit Court or a licensed Florida attorney before filing.
Divorce Services in Key West
Flat-fee pricing for all family law matters. No hourly billing, no surprises.
Uncontested Divorce
$750 flat
Parenting Plan
Included
Child Support Worksheet
Included
Marital Settlement Agreement
Included
Frequently Asked Questions: Divorce in Key West
How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Key West?
Our flat fee is $750 for an uncontested divorce in Key West, regardless of whether you have minor children. This covers attorney preparation of all required court documents. The court filing fee (approximately $425.16 total, including the 4% card processing surcharge; verify the current amount with your county clerk) is paid separately to the clerk of court.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Key West?
Most uncontested divorces in Key West are typically finalized in about 2–4 weeks after filing once both spouses have signed the required documents and any 20-day response period (or waiver of service) has been satisfied. Florida law sets a 20-day waiting period after filing before final judgment (F.S. 61.19), court timing varies by county, and no specific date can be guaranteed. Cases involving minor children may take slightly longer to accommodate the mandatory Parent Education Course.
What if my spouse and I don't agree on everything?
Our $750 flat-fee service covers uncontested divorces only — cases where you and your spouse already agree on property division, time-sharing, and support. If you're not fully in agreement, we can refer you to an experienced Florida family law attorney better suited to a contested matter.
Do I need to appear in court for an uncontested divorce in Key West?
No. Florida law allows uncontested divorces to be finalized without a court appearance when both spouses have signed the settlement agreement and all required disclosures have been exchanged. The judge reviews and signs the final judgment based on the filed paperwork.
My spouse and I own a home in Key West and we already agree on who keeps it. Can we still handle this as an uncontested divorce?
Yes. If the two of you have genuinely agreed on how the island property is handled, whether one spouse keeps the home and refinances, you sell and split the proceeds, or you divide the equity another way, that agreement is what makes a divorce uncontested. Florida uses equitable distribution rather than an automatic split, and the terms you both accept are reflected in your marital settlement agreement. The guided intake will ask specifically how you are handling the property so the documents match what you have decided. The one thing an uncontested divorce cannot do is decide a property dispute for you; if you disagree on the house, that is a contested matter.
One of us is stationed at Naval Air Station Key West. Does military service change how our uncontested divorce works?
Military service does not prevent an uncontested divorce, but it does raise a few points worth flagging early. Servicemembers have certain federal protections, and where you file can depend on legal residency rather than simply where you are currently stationed, since Florida has its own residency requirement for filing. The intake is designed to ask whether either spouse is active duty so those questions are handled correctly from the start. If you have minor children, the package also includes a parenting plan that can account for deployments and time-sharing. As long as both of you agree on the terms and are willing to sign, military status alone does not push you out of the uncontested track.
Why Key West Residents Choose FloridaDivorce.law
Transparent Pricing
Know exactly what you'll pay before you start. No retainers, no hourly billing, no surprise invoices. Just flat fees that save Key West residents thousands.
AI-Powered Efficiency
Our Victoria AI OS technology prepares documents in days, not weeks. Key West clients get their cases resolved faster than traditional law firms.
Every document is prepared and reviewed by a Florida Bar licensed attorney practicing family law since 2006.
Ready to Move Forward in Key West?
Get your complete uncontested divorce — with or without children — for a $750 flat fee, typically finalized in about 2–4 weeks after filing. Not sure where to start? Ask Victoria, our free AI assistant, about your options.