What Is The Filing Fee For a Divorce in Florida?
The standard filing fee for divorce in Florida is around $408, which includes the court filing and summons fee. This fee is applicable to most standard divorce cases, but it may vary slightly depending on the specific court or district. Additional costs may apply depending on the circumstances, such as if you can’t find your spouse or if there are extra steps involved.
For instance, if you need to serve your spouse through publication (in a local newspaper), there may be additional charges related to the advertisement and service fees. It’s important to note that these fees are relatively standard across districts in Florida, though minor variations may exist. Keep in mind that if you’re filing for a divorce that involves children or complex assets, there could be additional costs related to child custody evaluations or property division experts.
How Much Is a Divorce if Both Parties Agree in Florida?
When both parties agree and the case is uncontested, the primary mandatory cost is typically the court filing fee (around $408). Attorney’s fees, if any, are separate and depend on the scope of work, but uncontested cases usually keep overall costs lower and timelines shorter. Extra costs can arise if service by publication or special filings are required.
Do You Need Two Signatures for a Divorce in Florida?
In Florida, a divorce can proceed even if one party doesn’t sign the divorce papers. The state allows for a default judgment when one spouse cannot be located or refuses to cooperate. This typically happens when one party has abandoned the other or is unresponsive.
In this case, the spouse seeking the divorce can file for divorce by publication, meaning the divorce notice is published in a local newspaper. Once the notice runs for about a month, the court can proceed with granting the divorce. Florida’s no-fault divorce system means you don’t need your spouse’s consent to file, even if they refuse to sign the papers or participate in the process. The court ensures that the non-filing spouse is given sufficient notice so that the divorce can move forward legally and fairly.
Sean Smallwood is an Orlando divorce attorney for the law firm Sean Smallwood, Orlando Divorce & Family Law P.A. where he represents clients in all areas of family law and divorce. 100% of the practice is devoted to family law. As an attorney in Orlando, he has helped many families with a wide variety of family law cases including Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, and many other issues.