For many couples, an uncontested divorce offers a faster, less expensive path to ending a marriage. But even when both spouses agree on everything, costs can vary more than most people expect. Understanding what drives the cost of an uncontested divorce in Florida helps you plan ahead and avoid surprises along the way.
Whether you are in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, or Fort Lauderdale, the core expenses follow a similar structure. The details, though, depend on your county, the complexity of your situation, and the legal help you choose.
What Makes a Divorce “Uncontested” in Florida?
An uncontested divorce means both spouses fully agree on all issues, including property, support, and, if applicable, children, before filing for divorce.
Florida law allows spouses to file a simplified dissolution of marriage when there are no minor or dependent children, the wife is not pregnant, both spouses agree on the division of their property and debts, and neither party is seeking alimony, provided both spouses jointly petition and satisfy all procedural requirements of the simplified dissolution statute. Couples who do not qualify for Florida’s simplified dissolution procedure—such as couples with minor children or those agreeing to alimony—can still obtain an uncontested divorce through the standard dissolution process, which requires financial disclosures and a detailed parenting plan where applicable.
In either case, the process begins with filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in circuit court after at least one spouse has lived in Florida for the six months before filing. From there, the court reviews your marital settlement agreement and, if everything is in order, a judge signs the final judgment.
You can read more about how this process unfolds in our blog post on the basics of an uncontested divorce in Florida.
Court Filing Fees in Florida
Florida circuit court filing fees for a divorce petition generally range from $400 to $410, though the exact amount varies by county and is detailed in county clerk fee schedules, including Florida Statutes §§ 28.241 and 28.101.
The filing fee for a petition for dissolution of marriage is set at the state level but can include small administrative variations by county. Under section 28.241, Florida Statutes, the base filing fee for a dissolution of marriage is up to $295 plus additional fees, and county clerk fee schedules list a total of $408 to $409 for the petitioner. The respondent’s counterpetition filing fee is generally separate and may differ from the petitioner’s total due to statutory additions.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Florida courts allow you to file an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status. If approved, the fee may be waived.
These fees apply whether your divorce is contested or uncontested. The difference is that an uncontested case rarely requires additional motion hearings, depositions, or trial preparation, all of which quickly add costs in a contested proceeding.
Attorney Fees for an Uncontested Divorce
Attorney fees for an uncontested Florida divorce typically vary widely by provider, scope of service, and case complexity, depending on how legal help is structured.
This is the category where costs vary most. Your options generally fall into three tiers:
- Self-representation (pro se): You pay only the court filing fee, but you are responsible for drafting and filing all documents correctly. Errors in your marital settlement agreement can delay the case or create problems after the divorce is finalized.
- Flat-fee attorney services: Many Florida family law firms offer a flat fee for straightforward uncontested divorces. This gives you predictable costs and legal oversight, which matters when property or children are involved.
- Hourly representation: Some attorneys bill by the hour for uncontested divorces, particularly when assets are complex. Attorney hourly rates can vary considerably depending on local market rates and the attorney’s level of experience.
If your divorce involves alimony, significant marital assets, or a parenting plan, the value of proper legal drafting increases substantially. A settlement agreement that is vague or one-sided can lead to enforcement issues down the road.
What Else Affects the Total Cost?
Additional costs can include document preparation, parenting class fees, and notarization, each of which is relatively modest but worth budgeting for.
A few other expenses commonly come up in Florida uncontested divorces:
- Parenting course: Florida law requires both parents to complete a DCF-approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course of at least four hours prior to the entry of the final judgment when minor children are involved. Course providers may charge each parent a fee.
- Mediation: If you need help reaching full agreement before filing, mediation is an option. Florida courts sometimes order it in family cases, and even voluntary mediation involves hourly fees that vary by mediator.
- Document preparation and notarization: Your marital settlement agreement and other forms must be properly signed and notarized. Some documents may also need to be certified.
For couples with child custody arrangements or shared property, getting the marital settlement agreement right the first time is worth the investment. A poorly drafted agreement can resurface years later as a contested modification.
How Uncontested Compares to a Contested Divorce
A contested divorce can cost many times more than an uncontested one, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars when litigation is involved.
In a contested case, both sides typically retain attorneys who bill by the hour through discovery, hearings, and potentially trial. The divorce process can drag on for a year or longer, compounding legal fees throughout.
An uncontested divorce, by contrast, moves quickly when both spouses are aligned, and documentation is complete. Where all documents are complete, and the court’s requirements are satisfied, an uncontested case may be resolved within weeks after filing, although Florida law requires a 20-day statutory delay period before entry of a final judgment, and practical timing varies by circuit and judge.
Speak With Winthrop Law Offices About Your Uncontested Divorce
If you and your spouse are ready to move forward and want to understand exactly what your uncontested divorce will cost, Winthrop Law Offices works with clients across Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Fort Lauderdale. Our team can walk you through the full picture before you commit to anything.
Call us at 407-309-5998 or contact us to schedule a consultation.
