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The filing fee for divorce in Duval County is $409 for both standard and simplified dissolutions, plus $10 per summons (Duval County Clerk, 2026). If your spouse files a counter-petition, that costs an additional $295. These are court fees only — they don’t include attorney’s fees, mediation costs, or process server charges.
For context, the national median total cost of divorce is approximately $15,000 when attorneys are involved (Splitifi, 2025). Uncontested divorces in Jacksonville where both parties agree on all terms can cost significantly less — often under $2,000 including the filing fee and basic legal guidance.
Florida has two requirements before you can file for divorce:
Florida is a no-fault divorce state. That means you don’t need to prove adultery, abuse, or any specific wrongdoing. If either spouse believes the marriage is irretrievably broken, that’s sufficient grounds to file. The court won’t assign blame.
Here’s the process I walk every client through when they’re ready to file in the Fourth Judicial Circuit (Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties):
Florida provides four different Petition for Dissolution of Marriage forms depending on your situation:
If you’re not sure which form applies to your situation, an attorney can review your circumstances and advise you. Choosing the wrong form can delay your case.
File your completed petition with the Duval County Clerk of Court at the courthouse downtown or through the Florida e-filing portal. Pay the $409 filing fee at the time of filing. If you cannot afford the fee, you can file an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status to request a fee waiver.
After filing, your spouse must be formally notified — this is called service of process. In Florida, you can serve your spouse through:
Your spouse then has 20 days to file a response. If they don’t respond, you can request a default judgment.
Both spouses are required by law to exchange a full financial disclosure within 45 days of service. This includes a Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or (c)), tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and documentation of all assets and debts. Hiding assets during disclosure can result in sanctions or an unfavorable judgment.
If your divorce involves minor children, both parents must complete an approved 4-hour Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course before the court will enter a final judgment. This is a Florida requirement, not optional. Several approved courses are available online.
Florida requires mediation before a contested divorce can go to trial. A certified mediator helps both parties negotiate the terms of the divorce — property division, alimony, and (if applicable) a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule.
In my experience, most divorces in Jacksonville settle at or shortly after mediation. Mediation is faster, less expensive, and less adversarial than going to trial. Collaborative divorce is another option where both parties and their attorneys commit to negotiating a settlement without court intervention.
Once all terms are agreed upon (or decided by a judge after trial), the court enters a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. Florida law imposes a minimum 20-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized — even in uncontested cases.
For an uncontested simplified dissolution, the entire process can take as little as 4 to 6 weeks. Contested cases involving custody disputes, complex assets, or alimony disagreements typically take 6 to 12 months in the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
Florida has been a no-fault divorce state since 1971. Under FL Statute § 61.052, the only ground for divorce is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Neither spouse needs to prove infidelity, cruelty, or abandonment.
This doesn’t mean fault is completely irrelevant. A spouse’s behavior — such as dissipating marital assets, domestic violence, or substance abuse — can still influence the court’s decisions on child custody, alimony, and equitable distribution of property. But it’s not a requirement to file.
Understanding the difference between these two paths will shape your timeline, costs, and stress level:
Even if you start as a contested case, many disputes resolve through mediation. In my practice, fewer than 10% of divorce cases actually go to trial.
The filing fee for divorce in Duval County is $409 for both standard and simplified dissolutions, plus $10 per summons for service of process (Duval County Clerk, 2026). A counter-petition costs $295. These are court fees only and don’t include attorney’s fees, which vary based on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested.
Florida requires a minimum 20-day waiting period from filing before a divorce can be finalized. An uncontested simplified dissolution typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Contested cases in the Fourth Judicial Circuit average 6 to 12 months, longer if custody evaluations or complex asset division are involved.
Legally, no — you can file pro se (without an attorney). However, if your divorce involves children, significant assets, retirement accounts, business ownership, or alimony disputes, an attorney can protect your interests and avoid costly mistakes. Even in “simple” cases, having an attorney review your settlement agreement before signing can save thousands down the road.
A simplified dissolution is available when both spouses agree on everything, there are no minor children, neither spouse is pregnant, neither seeks alimony, and both are willing to attend the final hearing together. It’s faster and less expensive than a regular dissolution, but you give up the right to trial and appeal.
Yes, as long as you have been a Florida resident for at least 6 months. You can file in Duval County regardless of where your spouse lives. However, you’ll still need to serve your spouse in their state, which may require using a process server in that jurisdiction. If your spouse doesn’t respond within 20 days, you can seek a default judgment.
Filing for divorce is a legal process with specific requirements, deadlines, and financial implications. Getting any step wrong — choosing the wrong form, missing the disclosure deadline, or agreeing to unfavorable terms without understanding your rights — can have lasting consequences.
At The Law Offices of Sacks & Sacks, P.A., we’ve guided thousands of Jacksonville families through the divorce process over the past 30+ years. We offer a free consultation to review your situation and help you understand your options.
Call us at (904) 396-5557 or fill out the form to get started.
Related: The Dos and Don’ts of Child Custody in Florida | Parental Alienation in Florida Divorce Cases
✓Written by
Family Law Attorney & Partner, Sacks & Sacks
