Divorce in Florida: Costs, Laws, and Calculators (2026)

Everything you need to understand the financial reality of divorce in Florida. State-specific costs, formulas, and free calculators.

Avg. uncontested
$1,500 - $5,000
Avg. contested
$13,000 - $45,000
Typical timeline
3 - 14 months
DCE State Score
67 / 100

Florida divorces typically cost 30% less than the national average of $12,900.

Florida overhauled its alimony law in 2023 and now presumes equal parenting time by default.

Two major law changes transformed Florida family law in 2023. Senate Bill 1416 eliminated permanent alimony, making Florida one of the last states to do so, and established a formulaic approach to duration and amount based on marriage length. The same legislation established a presumption of equal time-sharing as the starting point for all custody decisions, a significant shift from the prior best-interests analysis. Florida is an equitable distribution state, meaning property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. The state sees a high volume of contested divorces involving real estate, retirement accounts, and business interests, particularly in South Florida markets.

Key Fact

Florida's 2023 alimony reform eliminated permanent alimony and introduced a formula capping duration at 50 percent of the marriage length for marriages under 20 years.

Recent Development

The 2023 reforms apply to new cases and modification requests on existing orders, creating significant litigation as former spouses seek to modify pre-2023 alimony agreements.

Florida Divorce Quick Facts

Verified statutory data, attorney rates, and procedural rules for Florida.

Property division system
Equitable Distribution (judicial discretion)
Alimony formula type
Formula with Discretion
Child support formula
Income Shares Model
Mandatory waiting period
20 days
Residency requirement
180 days
Mediation required
Yes
Equal parenting presumption
Yes - 50/50 default
Fault divorce available
No
Collaborative divorce available
Yes
Filing fee range
$400 - $410
Attorney hourly rates
$250 - $500/hour
Data last verified
January 1, 2025

DCE State Score Breakdown

Our proprietary index ranks every state on cost, complexity, and timeline. Higher is more favorable.

Overall DCE State Score

67/ 100

A score of 67 means Florida is roughly average in terms of divorce cost and complexity.

Cost Score

26/ 40

Based on filing fees, attorney rates, and total typical costs in Florida.

Complexity Score

29/ 30

Reflects judicial discretion, mandatory mediation, and procedural hurdles.

Timeline Score

12/ 30

Driven by waiting periods and average case duration from filing to decree.

Divorce Calculators for Florida

All 15 calculators preconfigured with Florida statutory data.

Florida Divorce Laws Overview

Property Division

Florida uses equitable distribution to divide marital property. This does not mean equal, it means fair, based on the circumstances. Judges consider factors including each spouse's income and earning capacity, contributions to the marriage, length of the marriage, and the economic circumstances of each spouse. Outcomes can vary significantly from case to case.

Spousal Support (Alimony)

Florida uses a hybrid approach to alimony. A formula provides a starting range, but judges have discretion to adjust the amount based on the specific circumstances of the case. Statutory factors that courts consider include: length of the marriage, standard of living during the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, age and health of each spouse, financial resources of each spouse, history of domestic violence.

Child Support

Florida uses the Income Shares Model for child support. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, the total support obligation is determined from a guideline table, and each parent's share is proportional to their share of the combined income. The paying parent pays their share to the receiving parent.

Custody and Parenting Time

Florida presumes equal parenting time (50/50) as the default starting point. Courts must have a documented reason, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, or evidence of harm, to deviate from this presumption. This makes Florida more predictable for custody outcomes than states with full judicial discretion.

Other Notable Factors

  • Florida law allows courts to consider domestic violence when dividing marital property, which can result in an unequal division in cases involving abuse.
  • Florida requires mediation before a contested divorce case can proceed to trial. This adds cost and time but often results in settlement without a court hearing.

This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.

Recent Law Changes in Florida

All state updates

Notable updates to Florida family law that affect divorce outcomes and costs.

Florida Eliminates Permanent Alimony

Major

Effective July 2023

Anyone divorcing in Florida after July 2023 will receive or pay time-limited alimony only. Recipients who expected permanent alimony in long marriages will receive less total support than under prior law.

Florida Adopts Equal Time-Sharing Presumption

Major

Effective July 2023

Parents divorcing in Florida now start from an equal parenting time baseline. If you want more than 50 percent parenting time, you need documented evidence of why equal time is not appropriate for your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a divorce cost in Florida?
An uncontested divorce in Florida typically costs $1,500 - $5,000. Contested cases run $13,000 - $45,000, depending on attorney involvement, custody disputes, and the complexity of the marital estate. Court filing fees alone are $400 - $410.
How long does a divorce take in Florida?
Florida requires a 20-day waiting period after filing. Uncontested cases finalize in roughly 3 months on average, while contested cases take about 14 months from filing to final decree.
How is property divided in Florida?
Florida uses equitable distribution. Marital assets are divided based on what the court considers fair, not necessarily equal. Judges weigh income, contributions, length of marriage, and the economic circumstances of each spouse.
How is child support calculated in Florida?
Florida uses the Income Shares Model. Florida uses the Income Shares Model for child support. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, the total support obligation is determined from a guideline table, and each parent's share is proportional to their share of the combined income. The paying parent pays their share to the receiving parent.
How is alimony determined in Florida?
Florida alimony follows a formula with discretion approach. Florida uses a hybrid approach to alimony. A formula provides a starting range, but judges have discretion to adjust the amount based on the specific circumstances of the case. Statutory factors that courts consider include: length of the marriage, standard of living during the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, age and health of each spouse, financial resources of each spouse, history of domestic violence.

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