Getting divorced is rarely easy, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic or confusing. Understanding how divorce works in Florida — from legal requirements to parenting plans and costs — can help you make thoughtful, informed decisions as you move forward. This page was created to give you a clear overview of what to expect, along with practical guidance to help you navigate each step with confidence and calm.
At Separate Ways, we know divorce is about more than just court filings. It’s a major life transition that affects your finances, your family, and your future. That’s why we created a 100% free app and concierge service to help you stay organized, reduce conflict, and find trusted Florida professionals when you need them most. Whether you’re preparing to file, working through the process, or simply trying to understand your options, Separate Ways helps make the journey easier, more affordable, and far less stressful.
Divorce is never easy, but understanding how it works in Florida can help you approach it with clarity and confidence.
Florida calls divorce a “dissolution of marriage”, and it’s a no-fault state — meaning you don’t need to prove wrongdoing to end your marriage. The most common reason cited is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”
Florida law allows for two main types of divorce:
Contested Divorce: When spouses can’t agree on important matters such as assets, custody, or support.
Uncontested Divorce: When both parties reach an agreement, leading to a faster, less expensive, and more peaceful process.
A calm, organized approach — focusing on resolution rather than conflict — is the foundation for a smoother divorce in Florida.
Every state has its own divorce laws, and Florida’s are relatively straightforward — but it’s important to know what’s required:
Residency: At least one spouse must have lived in Florida for six months before filing.
Filing Location: You’ll file in the Circuit Court of the county where you or your spouse currently live.
Grounds for Divorce: Florida recognizes only two — irretrievable breakdown of the marriage or mental incapacity (proven by medical certification).
Waiting Period: Most uncontested divorces finalize in about 30–90 days, depending on the county and case complexity.
Mediation: Many Florida courts encourage or require mediation before a trial, especially if children are involved.
Even though these laws shape the process, divorce is about far more than paperwork and courtrooms. The right preparation — emotionally, financially, and practically — makes all the difference.
While every situation is unique, the general process of filing for divorce in Florida includes the following steps:
Prepare Your Documents.
The main form is the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need financial affidavits, a parenting plan (if children are involved), and a marital settlement agreement.
File With the Clerk of Court.
Submit your paperwork to the Circuit Court in your county and pay the filing fee (around $400). Fee waivers may be available based on income.
Serve Your Spouse.
Your spouse must receive official notice of the filing, usually delivered by a process server or sheriff.
Financial Disclosure.
Both parties must provide full financial information, including assets, debts, income, and expenses.
Mediation or Hearing.
Many counties require mediation before scheduling a hearing. If everything is agreed upon, you may never have to appear in court.
The Separate Ways app includes detailed Florida-specific filing guidance and resources to help you stay organized through each step.
Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in how smooth — or stressful — your divorce becomes.
At Separate Ways, we begin with a short, confidential questionnaire to understand your situation. Based on your answers, we match you with vetted, ethical, and affordable Florida family law attorneys, mediators, or financial professionals who best fit your needs.
Every professional in our network is carefully reviewed for:
Integrity and ethical billing practices (no unnecessary hours or inflated costs).
Commitment to peaceful resolution whenever possible.
Experience in Florida family law and familiarity with local courts.
Our goal is simple — to connect you with the right professional for your situation, without the stress, confusion, or sales pressure.
Learn more about Finding a Divorce Attorney in Florida
At Separate Ways, we believe the right attorney makes all the difference — not just in outcomes, but in how you experience the entire divorce process. Through a simple, confidential questionnaire in our free app, we get to know your unique circumstances, goals, and comfort level with communication. Using that information, we recommend vetted Florida family law attorneys who align with your needs — whether you want a cooperative mediator-style lawyer or someone skilled at navigating more complex issues.
Each recommendation is personalized, so you’re not choosing blindly from a directory or paying for expensive consultations you don’t need. Our process saves you time, money, and unnecessary stress, connecting you only with professionals who fit your situation and values.
Divorce can bring out the best — or worst — in professional services. Unfortunately, some attorneys overbill or encourage unnecessary conflict because it extends the case. That’s why every Florida attorney in the Separate Ways network is carefully screened for integrity, transparency, and commitment to resolution.
We believe good representation means clear communication, honest billing, and a focus on helping clients move forward quickly and peacefully. Our network includes professionals who share this vision — ensuring you get quality legal support without inflated costs or unnecessary confrontation.
The cost of divorce varies widely depending on complexity, cooperation, and professional involvement.
Here’s a general overview:
Filing fees: Around $400–$450 (county-dependent).
Uncontested divorces: $500–$2,000 on average.
Contested divorces: $5,000–$15,000 or more if litigation occurs.
Mediation: Typically $150–$300 per hour, shared between both parties.
By promoting cooperation and using the Separate Ways app to stay organized, you can avoid unnecessary attorney fees and reduce overall costs.
The financial side of divorce often surprises people. In Florida, filing fees range from $400–$450, depending on your county. Beyond that, your total cost depends largely on complexity and cooperation:
Uncontested Divorce: Typically $500–$2,000 total
Contested Divorce: $5,000–$15,000+ if litigation is involved
Mediation: $150–$300 per hour, usually shared by both spouses
At Separate Ways, our goal is to help you minimize unnecessary costs by promoting cooperation and connecting you only with professionals who charge fair, transparent rates.
The single most effective way to lower divorce costs in Florida is to stay cooperative. Mediation and clear communication can reduce both time and attorney fees dramatically.
Mediation allows couples to resolve disagreements outside the courtroom, focusing on practical solutions rather than emotional battles. Many Florida counties even require it before trial because it saves everyone — including the court — time and money.
The Separate Ways app helps by providing resources for communication, organization, and mediation referrals, so you can make progress calmly and cost-effectively.
If you have children, Florida law requires a clear parenting plan that outlines custody (called time-sharing), parental responsibility, and child support.
Key points:
Mandatory parenting courses are required for both parents in most cases.
Florida courts prioritize the best interests of the child, emphasizing stability and cooperation.
Child support is calculated based on both parents’ income, the number of overnights, and shared expenses.
Parents are encouraged to use co-parenting tools or apps to maintain healthy communication.
Our app can help you stay organized, manage co-parenting schedules, and access resources for peaceful communication.
Florida law doesn’t use the word “custody” — it uses time-sharing to emphasize shared parental responsibility. Courts generally prefer both parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives whenever possible.
A Parenting Plan is required for all divorces involving children. It outlines:
Where the children will live and when
How decisions about health, education, and activities are made
How parents will communicate and handle changes
Parents can create their own plan through cooperation or mediation, or let the court decide if no agreement can be reached. The Separate Ways app helps parents stay organized, offering tools to track schedules, manage communication, and keep the process child-focused.
Florida calculates child support using a state-mandated formula based on both parents’ incomes, the number of overnights each parent has, and shared expenses like insurance or daycare. Once established, payments are typically managed through the Florida Department of Revenue’s Child Support Program.
Beyond the financial aspect, successful co-parenting depends on clear communication and consistency. The Separate Ways app provides access to co-parenting resources, communication tools, and professional support to help parents work together — minimizing conflict and keeping children at the center of calm, predictable routines.
Florida follows the principle of equitable distribution — meaning assets and debts are divided fairly, though not always equally.
Marital vs. Non-Marital Property: Only assets and debts acquired during the marriage are typically divided.
Real Estate and Retirement Accounts: These often require professional valuation.
Alimony: Florida recognizes several types — bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational, and permanent.
To make this process easier, the Separate Ways app includes a Marital Asset Inventory Tool to help you list and value everything clearly before negotiating terms.
Florida strongly encourages mediation as a way to resolve disputes without going to trial.
Mediation allows both spouses to work with a neutral third party to reach fair agreements on property, custody, and finances — saving time, money, and emotional strain.
The Separate Ways app can connect you to qualified Florida mediators committed to fairness and resolution, not conflict.
Divorce impacts more than finances and legal documents — it affects your sense of stability, confidence, and peace of mind.
A few helpful tips:
Give yourself time to adjust emotionally.
Communicate thoughtfully, especially if children are involved.
Seek out counseling or supportive friends when needed.
Stay focused on moving forward — not fighting the past.
Divorce doesn’t define you; it simply opens space for something new.
Separate Ways is your free, all-in-one divorce companion — designed to make every part of the process smoother and less stressful.
With the app, Florida residents can:
Access personalized divorce process guidance (legal, financial, and emotional).
Get local insights and filing resources for every Florida county.
Use built-in tools for asset organization and co-parenting planning.
Get matched with ethical, affordable Florida professionals — from attorneys to mediators and financial advisors.
Our goal is to make divorce easier, faster, cheaper, and more peaceful — helping you move forward confidently and begin your next chapter with clarity and calm.
