how much does a divorce lawyer cost in florida

by Mr. Leo Treutel PhD 9 min read

Divorce in Florida: How Much Does It Cost and How Long Does It Take? On average, Florida divorce lawyers charge a minimum of $260 per hour and a maximum of $330. Average total costs for divorce lawyers range from $11,000- to 14,000 but are typically much lower in cases with no contested issues.

between $260 and $330 per hour

Full Answer

Who pays lawyer fees in a divorce?

Feb 24, 2020 · Total Typical Cost of a Divorce Lawyer in Florida. To get an idea of the typical total costs for a divorce lawyer, we analyzed the combined data in our reader survey and attorney survey. This analysis showed that the total cost of a full-scope divorce attorney in Florida ranges from an average minimum of $11,000 to an average maximum of $14,000.

How to find a good divorce lawyer in Florida?

The Average Cost of Divorce in Florida. According to the 2020 study, the average divorce in Florida costs $13,500, including $11,600 in attorneys’ fees. Attorneys’ fees make up a large portion of the cost of divorce because the average hourly rate for attorneys in Florida is $295.

How much does it cost for a divorce in Florida?

Jul 24, 2020 · How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Florida? Divorce lawyers in Florida typically charge between $260 and $330 per hour, depending on their experience and where they are located. Divorce attorneys in larger cities tend to charge more than out-state attorneys.

How much are divorce lawyer fees?

How much does a simple divorce cost in Florida? The cost of a divorce in Florida can range from less than $500.00 to over $100,000.00. If the husband and wife agree on all issues, don’t use lawyers and prepare their own paper work, then the divorce will cost $408.00, which is …

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How much does a divorce cost if both parties agree?

If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500. Of course, there are filing fees in all states, which increase the cost.

Do I have to pay for my wife's divorce lawyer Florida?

The court considers requiring one spouse to pay for the other's attorney's fees only when a request or petition is made for the fees. This means that a spouse who needs assistance with paying his share of divorce costs must ask the court to make the other spouse contribute to these costs.Feb 28, 2018

How much is a cheap divorce in Florida?

Most uncontested divorces will be eligible for a flat-fee. The flat-fee covers all of the costs for the case, as long as it remains uncontested. The flat-fee will vary based on the number of children and assets involved. Typically, the flat-fee will range between $1,500 – $2,400.Aug 12, 2020

Can I get divorce in Florida without a lawyer?

Filing for divorce is often portrayed as a long legal matter with lawyers for both sides fighting in the courts. However, divorces can be conducted without attorneys involved as long as both parties are able to agree to the terms of the divorce.

Is it better to get a local divorce attorney?

When it comes to legal separation and custody, having your attorney nearer is simply better. You want to make sure that the attorney you choose is local and will be available for court appearances and other legal matters whenever necessary. Unfortunately, emergency motions and filings will need immediate attention.Jun 28, 2021

Who should pay for divorce costs?

the petitionerThe simple fact is that the petitioner always pays the divorce fees. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Petitioner) will always pay the divorce filing fee.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Florida?

In Florida, property is divided 50-50 if it is considered “marital property” – or property that was acquired by either spouse during the marriage. Non-marital property, which is property either spouse acquired before the marriage, is not divided equally.

How long does a divorce take in Florida?

A divorce can take anywhere between 3 and 24 months depending on whether it is contested or uncontested. The average uncontested divorce takes 3 months. The average contested divorce takes 12 months.Mar 10, 2018

How long do you have to be separated in Florida before divorce?

However, the courts in Florida know that reconciliation is a possibility in many cases, so a waiting period is required to give spouses substantial time to determine a divorce is what they really want. In Florida, a 20 days waiting period is required following the filing of the divorce.

Is Florida a 50 50 state in a divorce?

Under Florida divorce law, all marital property is subject to an equitable distribution. Typically, the court will divide marital property 50/50, unless there are reasons why an equal split would be inequitable (unfair).Sep 23, 2020

How do I start the divorce process?

To start the divorce you will need to the following: File a document, called a Petition, to the Court to initiate the divorce process. Only one spouse can file for a divorce (the Petitioner). The other party is known as the Respondent. ... Apply for a Decree Nisi. Apply for a Decree Absolute.

Can you get divorced online in Florida?

The Florida court system has the e-filing portal where Floridians can file their divorce papers online without having to go to the family law court. No-court divorce hearing. Many courthouses in Florida support a no-court hearing divorce process.Dec 23, 2019

How Much Does Divorce Cost in Florida?

According to our survey results, the average divorce in Florida cost $13,500, including $10,700 in attorneys' fees.The average hourly fee charged b...

What Affects How Much Divorce Costs in Florida?

A Florida divorce where the spouses are able to work through their concerns amicably can cost much less than the average, while a divorce with hotl...

How Long Does Divorce Take in Florida?

According to our survey, the average divorce in Florida took 15 months resolve—almost 4 months longer than the 11-month national average. Our Flori...

What Affects How Long Divorce Takes in Florida?

Although Florida doesn’t have a long, mandatory waiting period—only 20 days—several factors may cause a Florida divorce to drag out for many months...

Helpful Links About Florida Divorce

Divorce in Florida (from Divorcenet.com) http://www.divorcenet.com/states/floridaFlorida Child Support Calculator http://www.alllaw.com/calculators...

How to get divorce in Florida?

One of the easiest options if you qualify for it is an online divorce Florida. An “online”, flat fee, low cost divorce can be done entirely by phone and email and does not require a court appearance or a trip to the lawyer’s office. In order to qualify, you and your spouse need to be in agreement on all issues of your case. And one of you has to be a Florida resident for at least six months. To find out more about pricing for a no court appearance required divorce in Florida, call Attorney Gruskin at 1-800-666-6517.

How long do you have to be a resident of Florida to get divorce?

And one of you has to be a Florida resident for at least six months. To find out more about pricing for a no court appearance required divorce in Florida, call Attorney Gruskin at 1-800-666-6517.

What is contested divorce in Florida?

Contested divorce is where the parties cannot agree on one or more issues. It takes a lot of legal work to be ready to bring a contested divorce before the court for a decision. We are happy to answer all of your questions about divorce in Florida cost – just give us a call at 1-800-666-6517.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Florida?

A divorce in Florida will cost $409 to cover the Miami-Dade County clerk’s fee for dissolution of marriage. In addition there is a fee for the process server. If you hire an attorney — and you certainly should — charges vary depending on experience and reputation. Most charge a retainer and bill by the hour.

What are the expenses of a divorce?

In addition to these basic expenses, your divorce may require discovery, the process of pretrial preparation that is a major driver of cost for divorce. Discovery expenses include: 1 Attorney fees to prepare your interrogatories and help you answer the other party’s 2 Expenses related to subpoenaing documents from the other party 3 Costs of reproducing documents for the other party 4 Attorney’s time meeting and conferring with opposing counsel 5 Expert witness fees 6 Court reporter fees

How to resolve financial issues?

Choose a cooperative process, such as collaboration or mediation, to resolve your issues. Voluntarily disclose all financial data and other information to avoid discovery. When it’s necessary to have an expert opinion, hire one neutral expert and promise to abide by their decision.

Can a dependent spouse pay for both sides?

In cases where there is one high-earning spouse, a dependent spouse can ask the court for reasonable attorney fees. Thus, one spouse winds up paying for both sides. This creates an incentive for the high-earner to settle, because he or she would foot the bill for a protracted fight. It may also, however, create an incentive for the dependent spouse to drag out proceedings to further punish the other. Our experienced attorneys can guard against these types of abuses to help keep costs in check.

How much does a divorce attorney charge per hour?

The hourly rate for divorce lawyers is anywhere between $175 and $500 per hour – the average cost being around $300. The rate rises with experience, so junior associates will have a lower rate and experienced attorneys will have a higher rate. Divorce attorneys take a retainer upon accepting a case.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost?

Not including divorce filing fees, an uncontested divorce fee is between $2,000 and $4,000.

What is retainer in divorce?

The retainer represents “unearned” funds, which are deposited in a trust account that the law firm can draw from as work is done on the case or expenses are incurred. Divorce retainers are contingent on the number of issues and relative complexity of the case.

What is an uncontested divorce?

The attorney then boils down the agreement to the appropriate settlement agreements , helps the client complete mandatory affidavits and financials, files the lawsuit, and brings the client to Court to resolve the hearing.

How long is a trial?

Trials can range in length from a single day to weeks, depending on the issues that the Judge needs to resolve. Initiation of Litigation: $7,000-$12,000. Trial Preparation Fees: $8,000-$15,000. Trial Fees: Alimony: $7,500-$10,000. Property Distribution: $6,000-$10,000. Child Custody Trial: $8,000-$15,000.

Is divorce fair in Florida?

Florida wants the divorce process to be fair. To ensure that both parties have equal access to representation, Florida gives the needy spouse the opportunity to request that some or all of his or her attorneys’ fees be paid by the breadwinner spouse. This comes down to a matter of scale.

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