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Originally published: May 2026 | Reviewed by Scott A. Levine
A divorce in Florida costs between $419 and $50,000 or more, depending on whether the case is uncontested or contested. In Broward County, the mandatory court filing fee is $409 for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, plus $10 for the issuance of a summons, per the Clerk of Courts’ fee schedule.
Uncontested divorces with attorney representation typically run $2,500 to $5,000. Contested divorces in Broward County average $15,000 to $30,000, with complex cases reaching $50,000 or more.
Consult Scott A. Levine, AV Peer Review Rated Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, before you file.
The mandatory court filing fee for a divorce in Broward County is $409.00 for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage plus $10.00 to issue a summons, per the Broward County Clerk of Courts fee schedule. These fees apply to every divorce filed in Broward County under Florida Statute § 28.241, regardless of the case type or attorney involvement.
Every Broward County divorce begins with fixed court fees payable to the Broward County Clerk of Courts, regardless of case type, attorney involvement, or whether the case is contested. These fees apply uniformly at the time of filing.
The base filing fee for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Broward County is $409.00. Summons issuance costs an additional $10.00 per summons. A counter-petition filed by the respondent incurs a separate filing fee of $392.50.
A post-judgment modification of a final dissolution order costs $50.00 to reopen. These figures come directly from the Clerk of Courts’ fee schedule, which is the authoritative source for current amounts.
| Fee Item | Amount | When It Applies |
| Petition for Dissolution of Marriage | $409.00 | Every divorce — paid at filing |
| Issuance of summons | $10.00 per summons | Every divorce requiring service |
| Counter-petition filing fee | $392.50 | When the respondent files a counter-petition |
| Modification of final judgment | $50.00 | Post-judgment modification filings |
| Service of process — Broward Sheriff serves the respondent | $40.00 to $70.00 | When the Broward Sheriff serves the respondent |
| Private process server | Varies | Alternative to the sheriff service |
| Certified copies | $2.00 per page | When certified copies are needed |
Broward County accepts cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, attorney’s checks, and major credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted.
Filers who qualify for civil indigent status under Florida Statute §57.082 may have filing and summons fees waived — other fees and costs are not automatically waived under that determination.
An uncontested divorce in Florida costs $419 to $470 in mandatory fees when handled without an attorney, or $1,500 to $5,000 with attorney representation in Broward County.
The total depends on whether both parties use a flat-fee attorney, hourly representation, or handle paperwork themselves. Agreement on all terms before filing keeps costs at the lower end.
An uncontested divorce in Florida is the least expensive path because both parties have agreed on parenting, support, and asset division before the case requires court intervention. The total cost depends on whether you handle the paperwork yourself, use a flat-fee attorney, or engage full hourly representation.
Couples who qualify for a simplified dissolution — no minor children, no alimony sought, and complete agreement on all property and debt — pay a minimum of the $409 filing fee plus the $10 summons fee.
Couples who handle the paperwork themselves using family law forms approved by the Florida Supreme Court typically spend $420 to $470 in mandatory fees.
For a standard uncontested dissolution with attorney representation, total costs in Broward County typically run as follows. Flat-fee arrangements for straightforward uncontested cases range from $1,500 to $4,000, depending on whether children are involved and the complexity of assets.
Full-service hourly representation for an uncontested case typically produces a total bill of $2,500 to $5,000 when both parties cooperate, and financial disclosure is complete.
Incomplete financial records most often push an uncontested Broward County divorce over the $5,000 total cost threshold.
When the respondent’s or petitioner’s financial disclosure requires chasing — subpoenas, back-and-forth correspondence, or supplemental requests — attorney hours accumulate quickly even in a nominally cooperative case.
Organizing tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, retirement account records, and a full debt inventory before engaging an attorney is the single most effective way to keep an uncontested divorce within the lower-cost range.
A contested divorce in Broward County typically costs $15,000 to $30,000 per party when resolved through mediation or negotiated settlement, and $20,000 to $50,000 or more when the case proceeds to trial.
Attorney hourly rates range from $350 to $500 per hour as of 2026. High-asset cases requiring forensic accounting or business valuation regularly exceed $50,000.
A contested divorce is a Broward County litigation matter in which one or more issues — timesharing, alimony, property division, business valuation, or hidden assets — remain in dispute and must be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or a hearing before a judge.
Cost in a contested case is driven entirely by the number of disputed issues, the quality of financial disclosure, and how long it takes both parties to reach an agreement.
Family law attorneys in Broward County and South Florida charge $350 to $500 per hour, with experienced attorneys handling complex or high-asset cases charging $600 or more per hour as of 2026.
Most Broward County family law attorneys require an upfront retainer before work begins. For contested cases, initial retainers of $3,500 to $7,500 are typical, with the understanding that additional funds will be needed as the case progresses.
| Case Type | Typical Total Cost Range (2026, Broward County) | Primary Cost Drivers |
| Simplified dissolution (DIY, no children, no alimony) | $420 to $470 | Court filing fee and summons only |
| Uncontested with a flat-fee attorney | $1,500 to $4,000 | Attorney flat fee plus filing fees |
| Uncontested with an hourly attorney | $2,500 to $5,000 | Attorney hours on disclosure and drafting |
| Contested — settlement at mediation (before trial) | $8,000 to $20,000 | Attorney hours, mediation fees, expert costs |
| Contested — trial required | $20,000 to $50,000+ | Full litigation, discovery, expert witnesses |
| High-net-worth — complex assets or business | $30,000 to $100,000+ | Forensic accountants, business appraisers, and extended discovery |
A primary driver of contested divorce costs in Broward County is the level of cooperation, not the complexity of assets. A high-conflict case involving a modest marital estate can cost more than a well-managed high-net-worth case in which both parties engage seriously in mediation.
Every hearing, every motion, and every supplemental disclosure request adds attorney time at the hourly rate. The divorce process overview covers where Broward County cases typically stall and what drives them there.
Contested divorce costs in Broward County compound quickly. Call Scott A. Levine at Levine Family Law — 954-587-2244 — before the first filing decision drives your total bill.]
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
Mediation costs $150 to $400 per hour per party for private mediators in Broward County, with full-day sessions typically running $600 to $1,800 per party in mediator fees alone.
Court-ordered mediation through the circuit program costs $60 to $120 per person per session. Florida requires mediation in all contested divorces before trial under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.700.
Florida requires mediation in all contested divorces before a case can be set for trial under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.700. Even in cases that ultimately settle before trial, mediation is a real cost borne by both parties, typically $600 to $1,800 each for a full-day session.
Private mediators in Broward County charge $150 to $400 per hour per party based on 2026 market rates. Mediation sessions commonly run three to six hours. A single full-day mediation session can cost each party $600 to $1,800 in mediator fees alone — before accounting for the attorney preparation time billed at the attorney’s hourly rate.
Court-ordered mediation through the circuit court mediation program costs significantly less. Each session costs between $60 and $120 per person, depending on the parties’ combined income.
Court-ordered mediation is available in cases where both parties qualify financially, but availability and scheduling vary throughout the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.
Additional costs in a Florida divorce beyond filing fees and attorney rates include parenting class fees ($25 to $75), property appraisals ($350 to $600), QDRO preparation ($500 to $2,500), business valuation ($3,000 to $10,000), forensic accounting ($3,000 to $10,000+), guardian ad litem ($1,500 to $5,000), and custody evaluations ($3,500 to $7,500), all based on 2026 Broward County market rates.
Court filing fees and attorney hourly rates are the two costs most people anticipate. The costs that surprise clients — and that drive case totals above initial estimates — are the ancillary expenses that accumulate as complexity increases as of 2026.
Parenting class. Florida Statute §61.21 requires both parties to complete a Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before the court enters a final judgment in any divorce involving minor children. Approved course providers charge $25 to $75 per party. The certificate of completion must be filed with the court before the final hearing.
Property appraisal. A disputed marital home or buyout negotiation typically requires an independent real estate appraisal in Broward County based on 2026 market rates. Residential appraisals in Broward County typically range from $350 to $600.
Retirement account division. Dividing a retirement account requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. QDRO preparation costs $500 to $2,500 based on 2026 market rates, depending on account type and plan administrator requirements. For how retirement accounts are divided in Broward County cases, see the retirement account division guide.
Business valuation. When a business interest is part of the marital estate, a certified business valuation is required to establish fair market value for equitable distribution purposes. Business appraisers typically charge $3,000 to $10,000 based on 2026 market rates, depending on business complexity and the scope of the valuation engagement.
Forensic accounting. Cases involving suspected hidden assets or financial misconduct require a forensic accountant to trace deposits, transfers, and income discrepancies. Forensic accounting fees typically range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more, based on 2026 market rates and the volume of records reviewed. For the warning signs that a case requires forensic review, see hidden assets in Broward County divorces.
Guardian ad litem. In high-conflict custody cases, a Broward County court may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child’s interests. Guardian ad litem fees typically run $1,500 to $5,000 based on 2026 market rates.
Custody evaluation. When parenting fitness is disputed, a psychological custody evaluation may be ordered. Custody evaluations in South Florida typically cost $3,500 to $7,500 based on 2026 market rates.
The factors that most increase divorce costs in Broward County are contested status, hidden assets or financial misconduct, business interests requiring valuation, high-conflict parenting disputes, incomplete financial disclosure, and delay or noncompliance by either party.
Each factor adds attorney hours, expert fees, and court appearances, compounding the total cost at every stage of the case.
Understanding which case factors drive cost allows clients to make deliberate decisions before and during the divorce process. The factors below are listed in order of typical cost impact.
Contested vs. uncontested status is the single largest variable. An agreement on parenting, support, and asset division before filing eliminates most of the attorney hours that produce high total bills.
Hidden assets and financial misconduct require forensic review, targeted discovery, and expert witnesses. Cases involving suspected concealment routinely cost $15,000 more than comparable cases where financial disclosure is straightforward.
Business interests in the marital estate require a certified valuation. Disputes over business value extend the timeline and add appraisal fees, forensic accounting, and additional attorney preparation hours for every contested valuation position.
High-conflict parenting disputes add custody evaluations, guardian ad litem appointments, parenting coordinator fees, and repeated court appearances for temporary order hearings.
The Florida child custody factors and the Broward County child timesharing guide cover how local courts approach parenting plan disputes.
Incomplete or inconsistent financial disclosure is the most avoidable cost driver in a Broward County divorce. When one party’s records require subpoenas, supplemental requests, or follow-up motions, attorney hours accumulate on both sides.
Gathering complete financial records before filing is the single most effective cost-control measure available to a client. See the property division guide for what needs to be documented.
Delay and noncompliance force motions, hearings, and enforcement actions that add attorney time and court fees at every stage. Every additional month of active litigation adds attorney fees at the hourly rate — timeline and total cost move in direct proportion.
Broward County divorce costs vary by case, not by general estimates. Talk to Scott Levine at Levine Family Law — 954-587-2244 — for a consultation built around your facts.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
Florida divorce costs can be reduced by agreeing on parenting, support, and asset terms before filing, organizing complete financial records before the first attorney meeting, preparing specific settlement positions before mediation, and avoiding unnecessary motions and hearings. Each step eliminates billable attorney hours and reduces the total case cost by thousands of dollars.
Divorce costs in Florida are not fixed — they are a product of decisions made before and during the case. Clients who take the following steps consistently pay less than those who do not.
Agree on as much as possible before filing. Every issue resolved between the parties before an attorney gets involved eliminates the need for attorney hours on that issue. Agreement on parenting schedule, the marital home, and the primary financial accounts before filing can reduce a contested case to an uncontested one — a difference of $10,000 to $25,000 in a typical Broward County case.
Organize financial records completely before the first attorney meeting. Attorneys bill for time spent gathering records that the client should have provided. Tax returns for the prior two years, pay stubs, bank statements, retirement account statements, credit card statements, and a mortgage payoff figure — assembled before the first meeting — save between 5 and 15 billable hours at the attorney’s hourly rate.
Prepare seriously for mediation. Mediation resolves the majority of contested Florida divorces before trial. Clients who arrive at mediation with specific settlement positions — not general preferences — reach agreement faster and spend less time in session. Attorney preparation time before mediation also costs less when the client has clear priorities.
Avoid unnecessary motions and hearings. Every motion filed requires attorney drafting time, service, and, in most cases, a hearing appearance. Temporary order hearings, enforcement motions, and discovery disputes are often avoidable with proactive communication and organized financial disclosure.
For the full financial picture on what drives equitable distribution disputes, see equitable distribution in Florida.
What is the filing fee for divorce in Broward County in 2026?
The Broward County Clerk of Courts charges $409.00 to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and $10.00 to issue a summons, for a total initial court cost of $419.00. These fees apply to every divorce in Broward County. Personal checks are not accepted.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Florida in 2026?
Family law attorneys in Broward County and South Florida charge $350 to $500 per hour, with experienced attorneys in complex cases charging $600 or more. Flat-fee arrangements for uncontested divorces run $1,500 to $4,000. Initial retainers for contested cases range from $3,500 to $7,500.
How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Florida?
An uncontested Florida divorce with full-service attorney representation typically costs $2,500 to $5,000 in Broward County. A simplified dissolution handled without an attorney incurs mandatory fees of $419 to $470. Flat-fee attorney representation for straightforward uncontested cases runs $1,500 to $4,000.
How much does a contested divorce cost in Broward County?
Contested divorces in Broward County typically cost $15,000 to $30,000 per party when the case resolves through mediation or negotiated settlement. Cases that proceed to trial typically cost $20,000 to $50,000 or more. High-asset cases regularly exceed $50,000.
What does mediation cost in a Florida divorce?
Private mediators in Broward County charge $150 to $400 per hour per party, with full-day sessions costing each party $600 to $1,800 in mediator fees alone. Court-ordered mediation through the circuit program costs $60 to $120 per person per session based on combined household income.
Who pays the divorce filing fees in a Florida case?
The petitioner pays the initial $409 filing fee and the $10 summons fee at filing. The respondent pays a separate $392.50 counter-petition fee if filed. Florida Statute §61.16 allows courts to order one party to contribute to the other’s attorney fees when a documented financial disparity exists.
Can the Broward County divorce filing fee be waived?
Florida Statute §57.082 allows filers who qualify for civil indigent status to have the filing and service of process fees waived. Other costs are not automatically waived. Applicants complete a financial affidavit, and the court determines eligibility based on income relative to the federal poverty guidelines.
How much does a QDRO cost in a Florida divorce?
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order, required to divide most employer-sponsored retirement accounts, costs $500 to $2,500 to prepare. The plan administrator must approve the QDRO before the transfer is processed. Errors in QDRO language can result in tax penalties and rejected transfers.
How long does a divorce take in Broward County, and how does that affect the cost?
Florida law imposes a 20-day minimum waiting period after service. Uncontested cases with complete paperwork typically resolve within 5 to 10 weeks in Broward County. Contested cases commonly take six to twelve months or more. Every additional month of litigation adds attorney fees at the hourly rate.
Does hiring a divorce attorney save money in Florida?
Legal representation reduces total divorce cost in contested cases by preventing filing errors and unfavorable settlement terms that are costly to modify after final judgment. In uncontested cases, flat-fee representation provides cost certainty and protects against errors in marital settlement agreements that can lead to enforcement problems.
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