Can You Get Divorced for Under $1,000?

DIY Filing Saves Hundreds 

You can file on your own when both parties agree.  If you download forms from the clerk’s website and fill them out yourself, you won’t pay a lawyer to type simple information. You’re responsible for gathering financial statements, child custody plans, and asset lists, but that work costs only your time. A self-filed divorce, with no disputes, often stays under $500.

Fee Waivers Slash Expenses 

If your income falls below a set threshold, you can ask the clerk for a fee waiver. Florida’s “in forma pauperis” rule lets you skip filing fees entirely when you qualify. You’ll submit an affidavit of indigency and proof of income. Once approved, you pay zero to start your case. This option can drop your total divorce spending to just the cost of certified mail.

Streamlined Agreements Cut Legal Hours 

When you and your spouse draft and sign a marital settlement agreement before filing, you avoid contested hearings. Courts don’t need multiple appearances, and attorneys bill fewer hours. A clear, written agreement on asset division, debt responsibility, and parenting time means you pay only for review instead of full representation. If you negotiate terms yourselves and hand over a clean document, lawyer fees can stay low, keeping your divorce cost Florida at a minimum.

Choosing Between Online and In-Person

Deciding whether to handle your divorce online or in person can significantly affect total expenses. Online services bundle document preparation and filing support for a flat fee, typically reducing divorce costs. You skip commuting, waiting rooms, and avoid hourly billing for simple tasks. However, in-person consultations can provide tailored advice and quicker problem resolution when issues arise. If your case is straightforward and uncontested, online channels deliver the cheapest route. For more complex splits, budgeting for brief face-to-face meetings ensures you stay informed without inflating the cost.

Mediation Beats Litigation 

If you hit a snag on terms, choose mediation over court battles. Mediators may charge $50–$100 per hour, split between both sides. Most cases resolve in two or three sessions. That’s a fraction of litigation costs, where each hearing can cost hundreds per hour. With mediation, you control the pace and topics, settle disputes quickly, and cap your expenses. Mediation often costs less than $400, including filing fees.

Online Services Offer Flat Fees 

Several Florida-approved platforms guide you through divorce forms for a single fee, typically $200–$300. You answer questions online, upload your documents, and receive court-ready paperwork. After you pay the service, your only extra cost is the clerk’s filing fee. No surprise legal bills, no hourly rates. Pair an online service with self-filing, and you can finalize your divorce for roughly $700 total.

Is the Cost of Divorce in America Out of Control?

Why Are Divorce Costs So Often Branded “Out of Control”? 

It’s easy to blame high attorney fees or courtroom drama for runaway bills. And yes, contested cases can rack up six-figure tabulations in protracted disputes. Even the initial retainer for a seasoned family law attorney can hover in the low thousands. But that’s only part of the picture. 

Many divorces don’t involve lengthy trials. Couples who are on relatively good terms avoid courtroom adversaries and paying the increased cost of uncontested divorce in Florida. Instead of battling through discovery motions and procedural delays, they craft agreements together, paying only for necessary filings. In these scenarios, you’re looking at a fraction of what a judge-mediated split might cost. 

Factors That Drive the Price Tag 

• Degree of dispute: High conflict equals higher costs. When spouses disagree on major issues—division of real estate, retirement assets, or spousal support—they often need multiple court dates, expert witnesses, and lengthy negotiation sessions. 
• Attorney billing structure: Hourly billing can spiral out of control if the case drags on. Flat-fee packages or limited-scope retainers (where the lawyer handles only specific parts) can deliver more predictable pricing. 
• Complexity of assets: The more tangled your financial life, the higher the legal and accounting fees. Simple estates with one home, two bank accounts, and no retirement plans are quick to untangle. If you own businesses, international investments, or significant stock options, you’ll need forensic accountants and valuation experts. 
• Geographic location: Courts set basic filing fees, but local legal markets vary dramatically. What you pay in Miami or Tampa may differ from Jacksonville or Tallahassee. 

Strategies for Keeping Costs in Check 

• Be organized from the start: The less time they spend chasing paperwork, the more you save. 
• Consider limited-scope representation: your attorney helps with paperwork or specific hearings, and you handle the rest. 
• Embrace out-of-court resolutions: Even in contentious splits, you can often agree on smaller issues (like temporary custody) quickly, reserving litigation for truly disputed points. 
• Use online resources wisely: Many state bar associations provide DIY forms and fee calculators. Online conciliators can handle basic agreements for a few hundred dollars. 
• Communicate clearly: Agreeing on priorities early avoids repeated negotiations and makes mediation sessions more productive. 

Taming the Divorce Price Tag  

Divorce may never be as cheap as a quick online purchase, but with the right strategies and mindset, it doesn’t have to break the bank. Ultimately, the path you choose defines whether your divorce expenses spiral out of control or remain a footnote in your journey to a fresh start.