Questions to Ask a Divorce Lawyer in Florida Before You Hire

What should you check before hiring a Florida divorce lawyer?

Before you hire, check that the lawyer is in good standing with The Florida Bar, make sure their experience fits how complex your case is, compare fee structures, and get a written fee agreement before you pay a retainer.

How do I check a divorce lawyer's Florida Bar standing and discipline history?

Look the lawyer up by name in The Florida Bar's Lawyer Directory. It shows whether they are licensed and eligible to practice in Florida, and it flags any public discipline. Do this before the consultation, so you can ask about anything you find.

What to check on the listing:

• Eligibility: The lawyer must be a member in good standing and eligible to practice. A suspended or inactive lawyer cannot take your case.
• Discipline history: A public reprimand or suspension doesn't automatically rule a lawyer out, but ask what happened and what changed afterward.
• Certification: The listing shows Board Certification, which The Florida Bar grants by area of law.
• Office address: Make sure it matches the firm you are talking to.

Does the lawyer's experience match my divorce?

It should. An uncontested divorce with no children needs a different lawyer from a custody fight or a case with a family business, hidden assets or retirement accounts to divide. The Florida Bar suggests asking whether the lawyer has handled cases like yours and how often.

What does Board Certification in Marital and Family Law mean?

It is The Florida Bar's highest credential for family lawyers. According to The Florida Bar's certification requirements, a board-certified lawyer has:

• Practice: At least 5 years in practice, with 50% or more of their work in marital and family law during the 5 years before applying.
• Trial work: At least 25 contested family cases in that period, including at least 7 trials.
• Education: 75 hours of approved continuing legal education in the specialty.
• Review: Peer review and a passed written exam.

You don't need a board-certified lawyer for every divorce. For a high-conflict custody case, a large estate or a likely trial, though, it is a credential you can check.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Florida?

Most Florida divorce lawyers bill by the hour against an upfront retainer. Some charge a flat fee for uncontested cases. Total cost depends mostly on how much you and your spouse fight, so ask for an estimate for your case, not just the hourly rate.

The ranges below are market estimates published by a legal directory in July 2026, not set fees. Use them to compare quotes, and know that rates in large metro areas usually run higher.

Two Florida rules affect what you pay:

• No contingency on the result: Under Rule 4-1.5(f)(3)(A), a lawyer cannot charge a fee that depends on getting the divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property you receive.
• Fee shifting: Under § 61.16, Florida Statutes, the court can order the spouse with more resources to pay part of your attorney's fees. Ask whether you should request this.

What questions should I ask a divorce lawyer at the first consultation?

Bring this list to the consultation and write down the answers. Each question includes a line on why it matters.

1. How many Florida divorces like mine have you handled in the last few years? Experience with your kind of case (custody, a business, military pensions) matters more than years in practice.
2. Are you Board Certified in Marital and Family Law? It is a credential you can verify, and it signals trial experience.
3. Who will actually work on my case? Associates and paralegals may do much of the work, at lower rates.
4. How do you bill, and what are your rates and everyone else's? You need every hourly rate, not just the partner's.
5. How much is the retainer, is any of it nonrefundable, and what happens to unused money? Florida requires a nonrefundable fee to be confirmed in writing.
6. What will my case likely cost in total, settled and if it goes to trial? A range helps you budget and compare lawyers.
7. What costs come on top of your fee? Filing fees, process servers, appraisers, forensic accountants and custody evaluators can add up.
8. Should I ask the court to make my spouse pay my fees? § 61.16 may apply if your spouse earns or holds much more than you do.
9. What outcome is realistic for custody, support and property? A straight answer is better than a promise.
10. How long do cases like mine usually take in this circuit? Local court schedules and mediation requirements affect the timeline.
11. Do you recommend mediation or a collaborative divorce for my case? Settling usually costs less than a trial.
12. How will you keep me updated, and how fast do you reply? Poor communication is one of the most common complaints about lawyers.
13. What should I do, and not do, right now? You should leave with guidance on documents, money and talking to your spouse.
14. Will you put the fee agreement in writing before I pay? The Florida Bar says a written fee agreement is always advisable.

What are the red flags when hiring a divorce lawyer?

Walk away if a lawyer promises results, offers a fee that breaks Florida's fee rules, or rushes you. These warning signs apply in every Florida county:

• Guaranteed outcomes: No lawyer can promise custody, a set alimony amount or a set share of the property. A judge decides what you don't settle.
• Contingency fees in divorce: A fee based on getting the divorce or on how much alimony, support or property you receive is prohibited under Rule 4-1.5(f)(3)(A).
• Pressure to sign: Be cautious of a lawyer who says the offer expires today or demands a retainer before answering your questions.
• No written fee agreement: If the lawyer won't put rates, the retainer and billing terms in writing, expect billing disputes later.
• Vague billing answers: Not knowing how they bill for calls, emails or staff time is a warning sign.
• Unchecked status: The lawyer isn't in The Florida Bar directory, or has discipline they don't explain.
• Encouraging conflict: Pushing for a fight when you and your spouse mostly agree drives up fees.

When might I not need to hire a divorce lawyer?

You may not need full representation if you and your spouse agree on everything, have few assets and no minor children. Couples in that position can use Florida's simplified dissolution process or the Florida Supreme Court-approved family law forms.

Even then, many people pay for a single consultation or limited help, such as reviewing a settlement agreement before they sign it. Hire a lawyer for the whole case if any of these apply:

• You have minor children and disagree about time-sharing or support.
• There are retirement accounts, a business, real estate or debts to divide.
• Your spouse has a lawyer.
• There is domestic violence or you fear for your safety.
• You suspect your spouse is hiding income or assets.

For a fuller look at the process, read our divorce and separation guides.

Where can I find a divorce lawyer in Florida?

Start with The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 800-342-8011. It can set up a half-hour first consultation for $25. Many local bar associations run their own referral services, which charge $25 to $50 for a first appointment and sometimes waive the fee for people with low incomes.

If you can't afford a lawyer, try these:

• Legal aid: FloridaLawHelp.org lists free legal aid programs by county for people who qualify by income.
• Florida Courts Help: The Florida Courts Help website and app link to local self-help centers and to Florida Supreme Court-approved family law forms.
• Clerk and self-help centers: Your county clerk of court can tell you the current fees and which forms to file.

Whoever you find, check them in The Florida Bar directory and use the questions above before you sign.