As a rule of thumb, the more contentious the divorce case, the more your attorney will charge you. Fortunately, however, Florida law allows spouses to make their spouse pay their divorce attorney's fees.
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.
No. A lawyer cannot represent both sides in a divorce case – not even in an uncontested divorce case where both sides agree on the terms of a settlement agreement. It would be a conflict of interest for a lawyer to represent both sides.
68.8% of collaborative cases in Florida cost $25,000 or less per person ($50,000 or less total to the couple). 18.1 % of collaborative cases in Florida cost between $25,000 and $50,000 per person (between $50,000 – $100,000 total to the couple). Collaborative Divorce is not a bargain resolution.
How is property divided 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).
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.
In the realm of business transactions involving doctors, the dual representation model—where one lawyer represents both sides—has become more palatable to buyers and sellers of dental and medical offices.
In most cases, each party to an Agreement of Purchase and Sale will be represented by their own lawyer. Aside from a few, very limited exceptions, according to the lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct, a lawyer cannot act on behalf of both parties even if the Vendor and Purchaser wish to have the same representation.
“In Florida, a spouse in a long-term marriage, more than seventeen years, can be ordered to pay permanent lifetime alimony. This lasts until one of the parties dies or until the recipient remarries.
In a Florida uncontested divorce, the attorney draws up a Marital Settlement Agreement which the parties sign. And the parties then go to Court for a very short final hearing. (It is usually not necessary for both parties to attend the final hearing.)
In general, when working with a lawyer to help you, you should expect your uncontested divorce to cost somewhere between $1,500 and $5000. The lawyer you choose may or may not include the Clerk of Court required filing fee.
Divorce in Mutual Agreement Filing for a divorce in mutual agreement is always cheaper. This avoids having to hire a process server or sheriff to serve the divorce papers to your spouse. You will also save on court mandated mediation, hiring an attorney and maybe even having to pay for their legal fees.
After your spouse has read the information and all of your forms are complete, both you and your spouse can file for the simplified divorce and pay the required filing fee. It costs $409.00 to file your petition but you may qualify for a payment plan if you are indigent.
In Florida, a couple can get a "Simplified Dissolution of Marriage," which is the fastest and easiest way to get divorced. However, Florida does require the parties, 1. agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken, 2. provide proof of residency, 3.
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.