Divorces can be very complicated and super stressful. And, unfortunately, they can also be very expensive. There are often a lot of factors to consider and address throughout the process.
There are a lot of reasons why the costs can add up. Mainly because there is so much that usually goes into getting a divorce. It requires filling out, and keeping on top of, a lot of paperwork. And it can drag on for a long time, especially in contested divorces or divorces that are filled with unsettled issues and disagreements.
(To learn how the process works, you can check out this article about how to file a divorce in Florida.)
All the work and time involved is why getting a divorce isn’t cheap. There are fees you’ll have to pay and, especially if you hire a lawyer, the costs can add up quickly. How much a divorce typically costs will vary from state to state.
If you live in the Sunshine State, you are likely wondering “how much does it cost to have a divorce in the state of Florida?”
Below we’ll cover what you need to know about what an average divorce costs in Florida so you have an idea of what to expect. Since every situation is different, you’ll also learn about the different factors that affect how much you end up paying to get divorced in Florida.
How Much Does A Divorce Cost In Florida?
The average cost of a divorce in the whole U.S. ranges from $10,000 to $15,000. In the state of Florida, the average cost of having a divorce is usually around $14,000.
However, this fluctuates depending on whether there are children in the family or not. The average cost of divorce with kids in Florida is over $20,000.
These numbers are just averages. Some divorces may cost much less than this while others may end up costing $100,000 or more.
Filing fees also differ on a state-by-state basis. The average filing fees for a divorce in Florida ranges from $250 or up to $410, if it is an uncontested divorce.
More Factors Affecting Price of Divorce
The exact costs of your divorce will depend on many factors. One of the factors that will affect the cost of your divorce is whether it is contested or uncontested.
A contested divorce is one that involves one or more issues such as the previously mentioned issues revolving around children, like child support and child alimony.
There may also be other issues that are involved in a divorce case such as spousal support, division of property and more. And when any or all of these things are contested they make divorce longer and more expensive.
A contested divorce is much more expensive due to the amount of effort that will be put into settling issues between the parties.
Another important aspect that will affect the overall costs of a divorce is if there is an appeal.
Of course in a divorce, especially a contested one, a divorce lawyer can be necessary. And hiring a divorce lawyer can up the overall fees of a divorce.
Cost of Divorce Lawyers in Florida
The national average cost of hiring a divorce lawyer is $250 per hour. In Florida, the average cost of a divorce lawyer ranges from $175 to $500 per hour.
The state of Florida is a no-fault divorce state. This means that you or your spouse do not necessarily need to allege each other’s faults.
A fault-based divorce is more expensive compared to a no-fault divorce. The reason why a fault-based divorce is more expensive compared to a no-fault divorce is because of the time and effort that will be put into proving the defendant’s fault.