Divorce Cost in Florida: How to Keep It From Devastating Your Finances

Divorce is hard enough without having to worry about the financial devastation it can cause. In Florida, the average cost of a divorce is $13,500, but it can be much higher if there are complex assets or custody issues. Here are some tips to help keep your divorce from bankrupting you.

 

What is Divorce Cost in Florida?

In the United States, the average cost of divorce is $15,000-$20,000. However, in Florida, the average cost of divorce is $13,500. There are two main reasons behind the difference as follows:

Absence of “community property” 

This means that each spouse is only responsible for their own debts and assets. Therefore, the process of dividing assets and debts is much simpler and less expensive in Florida.

Florida has a “no-fault” divorce law

This law allows couples to divorce without having to prove that one spouse is at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. In states with “fault” divorce laws, couples must go through a lengthy and expensive legal process to prove that one spouse is responsible for the marriage’s demise.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Divorce in Florida

While the cost of divorce in Florida is relatively lower than in other states, that does not mean that it’s cheap. In fact, the cost of divorce in Florida varies greatly from case to case depending on a few different factors as follows.

• Whether the couple has any children under age 18 together. If they do, then there will be additional costs associated with child custody and support arrangements. Usually, if the couple has a child together, then the non-custodial parent will be ordered to make child support payments to the custodial parent.
• The amount of assets and debts that need to be divided between the two parties. If there are a lot of assets, such as property or investments, then it may cost more to have these valued and divided fairly.
• One of the parties is asking for alimony. Alimony is a payment from one spouse to the other for support. It can be temporary or permanent, and usually, payments are made on a monthly basis. Alimony is often awarded in cases where one of the spouses has given up their career to help the other succeed in business or other endeavors.
• The level of cooperation between the divorcing couple. If they are able to amicably agree on all aspects of their divorce, then it will likely cost less than if they have to go to court and have a judge make decisions for them.

In general, the cost of divorce in Florida is based on the complexity of the case. It is important to have an attorney that can help you navigate the legal system, but it is also important to be aware of how much your divorce will cost. Divorce is often a very emotional time, and emotions can cloud our ability to make good decisions.

How to Keep Divorce Cost From Devastating Your Finances

Even though there are many factors that go into the cost of a divorce in Florida, the good news is that there are some things that may be able to help reduce their overall costs.

Mediation

If possible, the divorcing couple should consider a mediation attorney. In mediation, both parties and their attorneys would meet with a neutral third-party mediator who is trained in divorce law. The mediator will help negotiate a settlement that both parties can agree upon. They will meet with both parties separately at first to see what each person wants to achieve from the mediation process. They’ll then help facilitate discussion between the two parties so that you can try to reach an agreement.

There are no right or wrong answers in mediation, and anything that’s discussed during mediation is confidential. This can be a good option if you want to avoid going to court and airing your dirty laundry in public.

Collaborative law

Another option is to use collaborative law, which is a process where the parties and their attorneys work together with the goal of reaching a settlement. This means that they will work together to negotiate a settlement that is fair to both parties and keep the divorce process as amicable and stress-free as possible. It’s also possible that they may want to try mediation first, but then switch over to collaborative law if they’re unable to settle their issues.

If you are considering a collaborative divorce in Florida, it is important to make sure that you are working with an experienced attorney who is familiar with the process. Collaborative law can be a great option for couples who want to avoid the stress and expense of a traditional divorce. However, it is important to make sure that you are working with an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the process and protect your rights.

Online divorce

Finally, a growing number of couples are choosing to complete their divorce process online. While no one is sure exactly how many people are doing this, it is clear that the numbers are on the rise.

If you and your spouse agree on the terms of your divorce, you may be able to file for an online divorce in Florida. This type of divorce is typically quicker and cheaper than a traditional divorce, and it can be completed without having to go to court.

To file for an online divorce in Florida, you will need to complete an online questionnaire. This questionnaire will ask for basic information about you and your spouse, as well as details about your marriage and why you are seeking a divorce. Once you have completed the questionnaire, you will submit it to the court.

If the court approves your online divorce, you will then be able to download and print the necessary paperwork. Once you have signed and filed the paperwork, your divorce will be final.

Tips for reducing cost:

Below are some tips that may help you reduce the cost of your divorce:

Be organized

This may seem like an odd tip, but it’s important. If you don’t have your divorce paperwork in order and organized, you’re going to end up paying more than you should. To start, try to put together a timeline of when you and your spouse started having problems. Also, make sure that your divorce paperwork is filed in the right court at the right time.

You will also need to know what you want in terms of the division of assets and custody arrangements. Once you have this information gathered, you can start working with an attorney to draft a separation agreement. This document will outline all the terms of your divorce and can help prevent costly disputes down the road.

Keep your communication open 

If you can agree on key issues upfront, it will save both time and money in the long run. Be realistic about what you want and need from the divorce. There is no need to fight over who gets the family home if neither of you can afford it or want to keep it.

Be prepared

There are a number of situations that you’ll have to deal with during your divorce, and if you’re not prepared for them, they can end up costing you more money. For example, there are a number of tax consequences to your divorce, and if you’re not prepared, they can cost you more money than expected. Today’s divorce laws are largely gender-neutral, so both spouses have to agree on all issues related to the property division, custody, and support of children.

Have a budget

When you go into your divorce, you’ll need to have a reasonable budget that includes all of the costs associated with it. If you don’t have a budget, chances are you’ll be spending more than you should.

Final Thoughts

While the cost of divorce in Florida is relatively cheaper than in other states in the U.S., it can still be significant. Be sure to take the time to balance your budget, so you’ll be able to afford the cost of your divorce. Nevertheless, there are still ways to keep it from devastating your finances. First, try to reach a settlement with your spouse outside of court. If you go to court, be prepared for the costs of litigation. Finally, keep track of your expenses and income so you can make informed decisions about your finances during and after your divorce.

 

If you need assistance with your divorce, contact Brandon Divorce Lawyer today. We can help you get the best possible outcome for your case.