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Divorce and Separation

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get a Divorce in Florida?

The cheapest way to get a divorce in Florida is usually a simplified dissolution of marriage that you file yourself. Court costs start at the $408 filing fee as of October 2026. It works for spouses with no minor children who agree on property and debts. If you can't pay, the clerk may waive the fee.

Drafted by Gordon MeyerPublished 4 min read

Blank court forms, a pen and a calculator on a kitchen table in morning light.

The short answer

The cheapest way to divorce in Florida is a do-it-yourself simplified dissolution of marriage, which costs the $408 filing fee as of October 2026 and fits spouses with no minor children who agree on dividing property. If your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, the clerk can waive that fee.

What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Florida?

$408 in court fees is the usual minimum. For most people, the cheapest Florida divorce is a simplified dissolution of marriage, a short, agreed divorce you file yourself on free court-approved forms. It works when you have no minor children together and agree on how to split property and debts. If you can't afford the fee, the clerk may waive it.

This is a common, manageable process, and many people finish it without a lawyer. The Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller lists the dissolution filing fee as $408, plus $10 for each summons issued, as of October 2026. A summons is the court paper that formally notifies your spouse of the case.

  • Filing fee: $408 (as of October 2026; some counties may add small local charges, so check with your clerk)
  • Summons: $10 each, only if your spouse must be formally served
  • Forms: free from the Florida Courts website and the clerk's office
  • Card payments: some clerks add a fee, such as the 3.5% Seminole County charges

Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.105 sets the rules for a simplified dissolution. Both spouses must swear that they have no minor or dependent children together, that the wife is not pregnant, and that they have divided their property and agreed on paying joint debts. Both spouses must also appear before the judge.

Tip: If your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can ask the clerk to waive the filing fee. File an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status under § 57.082, Florida Statutes.

Low-cost ways to divorce in Florida, court costs as of October 2026
PathWho it fitsCourt costs
Simplified dissolutionNo minor children, full agreement, both spouses willing to go to court together$408 filing fee
Regular uncontested divorceAgreement on everything, including children, but simplified rules don't fit$408 filing fee, plus $10 per summons and service costs if your spouse is served
Fee waiver (civil indigent status)Income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines$0 upfront if the clerk approves

What does the cost of a Florida divorce depend on?

The biggest cost driver is whether you and your spouse agree. Court fees stay about the same. Lawyer fees and the time spent in court grow when you disagree.

  • Children: If you have minor children together, you can't use the simplified process. You will need a parenting plan and child support paperwork.
  • Agreement: A divorce where you agree on everything costs far less than a contested divorce, where a judge decides the issues you can't settle.
  • Residency: Under § 61.021, Florida Statutes, one spouse must have lived in Florida for 6 months before filing. If neither has, you must wait.
  • Help you hire: A lawyer for the whole case costs the most. Hiring a lawyer only to review your agreement costs less.

To keep a simplified divorce cheap, follow these steps.

  1. Confirm you have no minor children together and agree on property and debts.
  2. Download the Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, Form 12.901(a), and the financial affidavit forms.
  3. Sign the petition together and file it with the clerk in your county.
  4. Ask the clerk about a fee waiver if money is tight.
  5. Attend the final hearing together, at least 20 days after filing.

Warning: A simplified dissolution means giving up some rights, such as a full exchange of financial records and a trial. If you are unsure what your spouse owns or owes, talk to a lawyer before you sign.

Frequently asked questions

What is the filing fee for divorce in Florida?

$408 is the dissolution of marriage filing fee charged by Florida clerks as of October 2026, according to the Seminole County Clerk. Expect $10 more for each summons issued if your spouse must be formally served. Some clerks also add a fee when you pay by card. If you can't afford it, ask the clerk about civil indigent status.

Do I need a lawyer for divorce in Florida?

No. Florida lets you represent yourself, and the Florida Supreme Court provides approved family law forms for free. A lawyer is still wise if you have children, a house, retirement accounts, a business, or a spouse who won't cooperate. Some lawyers will review your paperwork for a limited fee instead of handling the whole case.

What is a Simplified Dissolution of Marriage?

A simplified dissolution of marriage is Florida's fastest, cheapest divorce under Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.105. Both spouses must swear they have no minor or dependent children together, the wife is not pregnant, and they have divided their property and debts. Both spouses sign the petition and appear before the judge for the final hearing.

How long does a divorce take in Florida?

20 days is the minimum. Under § 61.19, Florida Statutes, a judge can't enter a final divorce judgment until at least 20 days after the petition is filed, unless the court finds that waiting would cause an injustice. Agreed cases often finish within weeks or a few months. Contested cases can take much longer, depending on the court's schedule.

What are the residency requirements to file for divorce in Florida?

6 months. Under § 61.021, Florida Statutes, one spouse must have lived in Florida for 6 months before the divorce petition is filed. Only one spouse needs to meet this rule. You prove it with a Florida driver license, ID card, voter registration card, or a witness's sworn statement.

Keep reading

Divorce and Separation

Our hub of guides on divorce costs, timelines, forms, and finding a divorce lawyer.

Sources

  1. Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce), Seminole County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
  2. Section 61.021, Florida Statutes: Residence requirements, The Florida Senate
  3. Section 61.19, Florida Statutes: Entry of judgment of dissolution of marriage; delay period, The Florida Senate
  4. Section 57.082, Florida Statutes: Determination of civil indigent status, The Florida Senate
  5. Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.105: Simplified Dissolution Procedure, Florida Justice
  6. Family Law Rules of Procedure, October 1, 2026, The Florida Bar

Related articles

What Is the Waiting Period for Divorce in Florida?

Florida has a 20-day waiting period. Under § 61.19, Florida Statutes, a judge cannot finalize a divorce until at least 20 days after the petition is filed, unless waiting would cause injustice. Before you file, one spouse must also have lived in Florida for 6 months.

Do Both Spouses Need to Attend the Final Hearing?

Sometimes. In Florida, both spouses must attend the final hearing in a simplified dissolution of marriage. In a regular uncontested divorce, usually only the spouse who filed has to go. In a contested divorce, both spouses must attend the final hearing or trial.

What Happens If One Spouse Changes Their Mind Mid-Case?

In Florida, a divorce usually goes on even if one spouse changes their mind. The case may slow down. A judge can order counseling or pause it for up to 3 months. An uncontested case becomes contested, and a simplified divorce has to switch to a regular petition.