Ending a marriage in Florida? Know the costs and the timeline first.
Divorce in Orlando runs through the Ninth Judicial Circuit's family division, and Florida is a no-fault, equitable-distribution state — the court splits marital property fairly, not always equally. The firms below handle contested and uncontested divorce, custody (called time-sharing), alimony, and modifications. Fees range from flat-rate uncontested packages to hourly contested representation.
How we picked these 10: We cross-referenced Avvo, Super Lawyers, Justia, Best Lawyers, Expertise.com, and Florida / Missouri Bar listings. Firms that appeared across at least two independent sources, with verifiable peer recognition or board certifications, made the list. We do not accept payment for placement and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Florida does not require you to prove wrongdoing to divorce; you only need to state the marriage is irretrievably broken. What drives cost and stress is how much you and your spouse disagree about money and children. An uncontested divorce can be a flat-fee, few-thousand-dollar matter. A contested case with custody and asset disputes is billed hourly and can run into the tens of thousands.
The firms below are recognized across Avvo, Super Lawyers, Justia, and Expertise for Orlando family law, and several offer free consultations. Florida overhauled its alimony law in 2023, ending permanent alimony, so ask any firm how the current rules apply to your situation.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, alimony, asset division
Downtown Orlando family-law firm led by Erin Morse, a Super Lawyers Rising Star with board certification in civil trial law, handling divorce, time-sharing, alimony, and related estate matters.
Why they made the list: A trial-certified family lawyer for contested or higher-asset divorces.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, support, modifications
Orlando family and marital law firm focused on divorce, time-sharing, and support, with strong directory ratings on Avvo and Super Lawyers.
Why they made the list: A family-law-only focus and consistent peer recognition.
Practice focus: Complex divorce, alimony, custody, asset division
Central Florida firm founded by Cornell Law graduate Sherri K. DeWitt in 1998, handling complex divorces involving alimony, custody, and asset division.
Why they made the list: Experience with complicated marital estates and long-tenured leadership.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, paternity, appeals
Orlando family-law firm whose attorney David Roberts is a Super Lawyers honoree handling divorce, custody, support, mediation, and family-law appeals.
Why they made the list: Appellate capability on top of trial-level family work.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, support
Orlando and Central Florida divorce practice with attorneys Joel Wilson and Jessica Leibowitz bringing 20+ years of combined trial experience and free initial consultations.
Why they made the list: A trial-tested team with no-cost intake.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, support, fathers' rights
Orlando firm led by Felicia Bunbury, a Super Lawyers Rising Star, with 35+ years of combined experience and flat-fee options for many family-law matters.
Why they made the list: Predictable flat-fee pricing for straightforward divorces.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, alimony, mediation
Established Orlando family-law firm led by Donna Hung, well rated across Avvo and Super Lawyers for divorce and custody work.
Why they made the list: A steady, well-reviewed family-law option in Central Florida.
Practice focus: Collaborative divorce, custody, parenting plans
Long-running Orlando family-law practice with more than 40 years of experience and collaborative-divorce training.
Why they made the list: A good fit for couples who want a lower-conflict, collaborative process.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, support
Central Florida family-law firm whose Orlando divorce attorneys bring decades of combined experience and a team approach.
Why they made the list: Team-based handling for clients who want more than one set of eyes on the file.
Practice focus: Divorce, custody, marital settlement agreements
Orlando family and marital law firm handling divorce, time-sharing, and settlement agreements, listed among the area's rated family practices.
Why they made the list: Boutique attention for negotiated, settlement-focused divorces.
Every firm above clears the basic bar: real track record, real recognition, real Orlando presence. The differences between them are narrower than the marketing suggests, and the right pick depends on your specific facts. Use the free consultation to test three things before you sign with anyone.
Direct experience with your exact issue. Ask how many cases like yours the firm has handled in the past three years — not over a career, three years. You want a number, not a slogan.
Who actually does the work. At larger firms, the lawyer at intake is not always the lawyer on your file. Ask, in writing, who your day-to-day attorney will be and whether you can reach them directly.
How they communicate. Divorce matters drag on for months. A firm that replies within a day while courting you should commit to a response-time standard after you retain. Ask what that standard is and what happens when it slips.
An uncontested Orlando divorce can finish in about 4 to 8 weeks once both spouses exchange the required financial disclosures and sign a marital settlement agreement. A contested divorce usually takes 8 to 18 months, longer when custody is fought. The Ninth Judicial Circuit requires mediation before most final hearings, which resolves a large share of cases without trial. Florida imposes a 20-day residency requirement before you can file.
Orlando divorce lawyers typically bill $250 to $450 an hour for contested work, with an up-front retainer of roughly $3,000 to $7,500. A fully litigated contested divorce often totals $15,000 to $35,000 or more per side. Uncontested or flat-fee divorces commonly run $1,500 to $3,500. Florida courts can order the higher-earning spouse to contribute to the other's fees under Statute 61.16.
Orlando divorces are heard in the Ninth Judicial Circuit (Orange and Osceola counties) family division. Florida is a no-fault, equitable-distribution state, so marital assets and debts are divided fairly based on factors like each spouse's contribution and economic circumstances. The 2023 alimony reform replaced permanent alimony with durational and other limited forms, and every case with minor children requires a court-approved parenting plan and time-sharing schedule.
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a settlement, a dismissal, or an approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior name at the pitch, then never speak to them again. Ask in writing who handles your file day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. A reputable firm hands you the engagement letter, gives you time to read it, and lets you take it home. High-pressure intake usually signals a volume mill.
Vague fees. “Don’t worry about cost” is a warning sign. Get the fee structure, what it covers, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you switch firms — all in writing.
Contested divorce lawyers in Orlando bill about $250–$450 an hour with a $3,000–$7,500 retainer. A fully contested case can total $15,000–$35,000+ per side. Uncontested or flat-fee divorces often run $1,500–$3,500.
An uncontested divorce can finish in 4–8 weeks after financial disclosures. A contested divorce typically takes 8–18 months, longer if custody is heavily disputed. Mediation is required before most final hearings.
No. Florida is a no-fault state. You only have to state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. There is a 20-day residency requirement before you can file.
Yes, but the 2023 reform ended permanent alimony. Courts now award durational, bridge-the-gap, or rehabilitative alimony based on need, ability to pay, and the length of the marriage. Ask a lawyer how the current rules apply to you.
Florida uses equitable distribution, meaning marital assets and debts are split fairly — not automatically 50/50 — based on factors like each spouse's contribution and economic circumstances. Separate (non-marital) property generally stays with its owner.
Florida uses 'time-sharing' and 'parental responsibility,' decided by the child's best interests, and every case with minor children needs a court-approved parenting plan. Child support follows state guidelines based on both parents' incomes and the time-sharing schedule.
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