The short answer
Beyond the $408 filing fee, expect a $10 summons fee, a $40 sheriff's fee for in-state service, court mediation fees of $60 to $120 per person per session based on income, a parenting course fee if you have minor children, and attorney or expert fees if the case is contested (as of October 2026).
What additional costs should I expect in a Florida divorce?
$408 is only the filing fee. Most Florida divorces also bring a $10 summons fee, a $40 sheriff's fee to serve your spouse, and possible court mediation fees of $60 to $120 per person per session. If you have minor children, add a parenting course. Contested cases often add lawyer and expert fees.
You can plan for most of these costs ahead of time. The fees below come from county clerk fee pages and the 2026 Florida Statutes, as of October 2026.
- Filing fee: $408 to open a dissolution of marriage case, which is the legal name for a divorce (Walton County Clerk of Court)
- Summons fee: $10 per spouse you serve. A summons is the court paper that tells your spouse the case was filed.
- Sheriff's service fee: $40 for service inside Florida. Service out of state costs whatever that county's sheriff charges.
- Court mediation: $60 per person per session if your combined income is under $50,000, or $120 if it is $50,000 to $100,000 (§ 44.108, Florida Statutes). Mediation is a meeting where a neutral person helps you and your spouse settle.
- Parenting course: Required for both parents with minor children. The course must last at least 4 hours, and providers may charge "a reasonable fee" (§ 61.21, Florida Statutes).
- Reopen fee: $50 in some counties if you need to go back to court after the case closes (Calhoun County Clerk fee schedule)
Tip: Fees can differ a little by county. Check your county clerk's fee page or call before you file.
What do the extra costs depend on?
Your total depends mostly on whether you and your spouse agree. An uncontested divorce, where you agree on everything, may cost little more than the court fees. A contested divorce, where you disagree, can add much more.
These things raise the cost the most:
- Lawyer fees: Charged by the hour or as a flat fee. They grow with every hearing, motion and trial day.
- Experts: Appraisers for a house or business, accountants, or custody evaluators in hard cases.
- Private mediation: Court mediation fees under § 44.108 apply to lower-income couples. Higher-income couples usually pay a private mediator.
- Children: Parenting plans, child support worksheets and the parenting course add steps and costs.
- Property and debt: More assets mean more paperwork and more chances to disagree.
If your spouse earns much more than you, you can ask the judge to make them pay part of your fees. Under § 61.16, Florida Statutes, the court may order a party to pay "a reasonable amount for attorney's fees, suit money, and the cost to the other party" after looking at both spouses' finances.
Warning: A fee award is up to the judge. Do not count on your spouse paying your lawyer until the court orders it.
| Path | Court costs | Other costs |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontested, no lawyer | $408 filing fee, plus $10 summons and $40 sheriff's service if needed | Parenting course if you have minor children |
| Contested, with lawyers | Same court fees | Attorney fees, mediation ($60 to $120 per person per session at court rates), experts |
When should I talk to a lawyer about divorce costs?
Talk to a lawyer early if your spouse disagrees, you share children, or you own a home, business or retirement accounts. Paying for advice early can prevent costly mistakes later.
When you meet a lawyer, ask how they bill, what a retainer covers, and what the full case might cost. You can compare Florida guides and lawyers on our Divorce and Separation page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the filing fee for divorce in Florida?
$408. That is the clerk's fee to file a petition for dissolution of marriage in Florida as of October 2026. Expect $10 more for each summons issued, and $40 if the sheriff serves your spouse inside Florida. If you cannot afford the fee, ask your county clerk how to apply to be declared indigent.
How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Florida?
About $408 to $458 in court costs if you handle it yourself, as of October 2026. That covers the $408 filing fee, plus $10 for a summons and $40 for sheriff's service if your spouse does not sign the papers voluntarily. A parenting course adds a fee if you have minor children. Lawyer fees are extra if you hire one.
Can I get my spouse to pay my attorney fees in Florida?
Sometimes. Under § 61.16, Florida Statutes, a judge may order one spouse to pay a reasonable amount of the other's attorney fees and court costs. The judge looks mainly at each spouse's financial resources. It is not automatic, so you must ask the court for it in your filings.
Do parents have to take a parenting class?
Yes. Under § 61.21, Florida Statutes, both parents in a divorce with minor children must finish a parent education and family stabilization course before the final judgment. The course lasts at least 4 hours. Providers may charge a reasonable fee, and each circuit should have at least one sliding-fee option when available.
Sources
- Divorce, Walton County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
- Fee Schedule 2025, Calhoun County Clerk of Court
- § 44.108, Florida Statutes (2026): Funding of mediation and arbitration, Florida Legislature
- § 61.16, Florida Statutes (2026): Attorney's fees, suit money, and costs, Florida Legislature
- § 61.21, Florida Statutes (2026): Parenting course authorized, Florida Legislature