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Originally published: June 2026 | Reviewed by Kim Torres
Florida divorce mediators charge $150 to $500 per hour in 2026, with most certified family mediators billing $200 to $400 hourly. Attorney-mediators charge $200 to $500 per hour. Non-attorney mediators charge $100 to $350 per hour.
Kim W. Torres, Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and Florida Bar member since 1985, charges $350 per hour.
Flat-fee packages for straightforward Florida divorces range from $1,500 to $3,000. The fee structure you choose — hourly or flat — determines whether you pay for actual time used or a fixed total.
Kim Torres provides a full fee breakdown before your first session so you know exactly what the $350 per hour includes. Schedule a call with Torres Mediation to get your specific cost estimate.
Florida divorce mediators charge $150 to $500 per hour in 2026, with the rate determined by the mediator’s credentials, case volume, and geographic market.
Attorney-mediators — mediators who also hold a Florida Bar license — charge $200 to $500 per hour. Non-attorney mediators — mediators with backgrounds in counseling, social work, or conflict resolution — charge $100 to $350 per hour.
Kim Torres charges $350 per hour in Brevard County, which falls in the upper-mid range for attorney-mediators with 3,000-plus completed cases.
South Florida markets — Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach — run 20% to 30% higher than the Space Coast and North Florida. A mediator charging $350 per hour in Melbourne would likely charge $425 to $500 per hour for comparable experience in Miami-Dade.
Most private mediators require a minimum booking. The minimum at Torres Mediation is two hours for virtual sessions (via Zoom) and three hours for in-person sessions at the Melbourne office.
A two-hour virtual session at $350 per hour costs $700 total. A three-hour in-person session costs $1,050 total. Both spouses typically split the fee equally, so each pays $350 to $525 for the first mediation session.
Flat-fee mediation packages charge a single fixed price for the entire case rather than billing by the hour. Florida mediators offering flat-fee packages typically charge $1,500 to $3,000 for straightforward, uncontested divorces.
A flat-fee package usually covers a set number of mediation hours (8 to 10 hours is common), plus drafting the Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA), the Parenting Plan (if children are involved), and the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet.
The court filing fee ($418 under Fla. Stat. § 28.241) is not included in flat-fee packages.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
Flat fees work well for couples who agree on most issues and need a mediator to formalize the details. A couple with no children, a single shared property, and straightforward income would likely finish within the flat-fee hour cap.
Flat fees become expensive when the case exceeds the included hours. A couple with a business, retirement accounts, and a contested parenting schedule may burn through 10 hours and then owe overage charges at the mediator’s standard hourly rate.
Before choosing a flat fee, ask about the overage rate and whether your case complexity falls within the package’s scope.
| Fee Structure | Typical Range | Covers | Risk |
| Hourly | $150–$500/hr | Actual session time + prep + MSA drafting (varies) | Total cost unknown until sessions conclude |
| Flat fee | $1,500–$3,000 | Set hours (8–10) + MSA + Parenting Plan | Overage charges if the case exceeds the included hours |
| Court-connected | $60–$120/person/session | Court-assigned mediator session only | No MSA drafting, limited session length |
The mediator’s hourly rate at Torres Mediation covers three services: session time, pre-session document review, and drafting the final agreement.
Session time is the hours you and your spouse spend in the room — or on Zoom — working through the issues a Florida court requires for dissolution: property division, debt allocation, alimony, and (if children are involved) the parenting plan and child support calculations.
A straightforward divorce mediation runs two to four hours. Complex cases run six to ten hours across two to three sessions.
Pre-session document review covers the mediator’s preparation before the session. The mediator reviews financial disclosures, bank statements, mortgage documents, and any proposed parenting schedules that both spouses submit before the session. Preparation time bills at the same $350 hourly rate.
Agreement drafting covers the Marital Settlement Agreement — the document both spouses sign and file with the court. The MSA memorializes every term you agreed to in mediation: who keeps the house, how retirement accounts are divided, what the parenting schedule looks like, and how support is calculated.
At Torres Mediation, MSA drafting is included in the hourly rate. Some mediators charge $500 to $1,500 separately for agreement drafting, so ask before you book.
Wondering whether your case can finish in one session or will require two to three? The answer depends on the number of issues in dispute, not on the dollar value of your assets. Kim Torres can assess your situation in one call and tell you the realistic hour range. Reach Torres Mediation at (321) 574-5562 before you commit to a fee structure.
The mediation fee does not cover court filing costs, attorney review, QDRO drafting, or deed transfers. Combined, these post-mediation expenses range from $500 to $2,500, depending on the case.
Court filing fee: $418 ($408 base fee under Fla. Stat. § 28.241 plus $10 summons issuance fee). Both spouses pay the filing fee regardless of whether they mediate or litigate. Fee waivers are available through Florida courts for households earning below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Process server: $40 to $75 to serve the petition on the other spouse.
Attorney review of the MSA: $500 to $1,500. Kim Torres serves as a neutral in mediation — not as either spouse’s attorney. Having a separate lawyer review the MSA before signing confirms that the agreement addresses tax implications, retirement division, and health insurance transitions.
Attorney review is optional but recommended for cases involving retirement accounts or real estate.
QDRO drafting: $500 to $1,200 per retirement plan. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order is the legal document required to divide a 401(k) or pension between spouses. QDRO drafting requires a separate attorney or specialist and is not part of mediation.
Deed transfer and title work: $300 to $800. If one spouse keeps the marital home, the deed must be transferred, and the mortgage may require refinancing. Deed and title costs are separate from mediation fees.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
Attorney-mediators charge $200 to $500 per hour in Florida. Non-attorney mediators charge $100 to $350 per hour. The rate difference reflects the mediator’s professional background, not necessarily the quality of the mediation itself.
Attorney-mediators hold a Florida Bar license in addition to Florida Supreme Court mediation certification. Their legal training allows them to draft MSAs, Parenting Plans, and Child Support Worksheets that align with Florida statutory requirements — documents the court reviews before approving the divorce.
Kim Torres, a Florida Bar member since 1985, charges $350 per hour and includes agreement drafting in the hourly rate.
Non-attorney mediators hold mediation certification but not a law license. Their hourly rates are lower, but they cannot draft legal documents. Couples working with a non-attorney mediator typically need a separate attorney to draft the MSA ($500 to $1,500), which can offset the hourly savings.
| Mediator Type | Hourly Rate Range | MSA Drafting | Net Cost for a 4-Hour Case |
| Attorney-mediator | $200–$500/hr | Included in the hourly rate | $800–$2,000 (session + drafting) |
| Non-attorney mediator | $100–$350/hr | Not included — add $500–$1,500 | $900–$2,900 (session + separate drafting) |
The net cost difference narrows when drafting fees are factored in. For couples with children, assets requiring division, or any issue involving Florida family law statutes, an attorney-mediator who includes drafting in the hourly rate often results in a lower total bill.
Court-connected mediation fees under Fla. Stat. § 44.108 are income-based and significantly lower than private mediator rates. Couples earning under $50,000 combined pay $60 per person per session.
Couples earning $50,000 to $99,999 combined pay $120 per person per session. Couples earning $100,000 or more are directed to private mediation.
Florida’s circuit courts run court-connected mediation programs and staff them with Florida Supreme Court-certified mediators. Florida court administrative orders cap family mediation sessions at two to three hours per session.
Court-connected mediation does not include MSA drafting, Parenting Plan preparation, or post-session document work.
The mediator facilitates the negotiation, but both spouses need a separate attorney or a document-preparation service to convert the verbal agreement into the legal paperwork required to file a pro se divorce.
Private mediators like Kim Torres include drafting in the hourly rate, which eliminates that additional cost.
Court-connected mediation also offers less scheduling flexibility. Sessions are scheduled during court business hours, and couples cannot request evening or weekend appointments.
For Brevard, Orange, Seminole, or Indian River County residents who need a longer session or more flexible timing, private mediation is the practical alternative.
Preparation is the single variable that most consistently reduces total mediation hours and total cost. Couples who arrive with organized financial documents and a preliminary discussion of priorities typically finish one to two hours faster than couples who arrive unprepared.
Organize financial documents in advance. Bring three months of bank statements, two years of tax returns, current pay stubs, mortgage statements, retirement account balances, and a monthly expense list. Kim Torres provides a preparation checklist before every session.
Discuss priorities with your spouse before the session. Couples who have identified their non-negotiable items — and the items they can compromise on — spend less time in caucus (the mediator meeting separately with each side) and more time building the actual agreement.
Choose virtual mediation when your case allows. Virtual sessions carry a two-hour minimum at Torres Mediation, compared to a three-hour minimum for in-person. Virtual mediation also eliminates travel time and facility costs, reducing total expenses by 15% to 25% for couples outside Brevard County.
Resolve simple issues before mediation. Couples who agree on the parenting schedule and disagree only on property division can focus the session on the one disputed issue. A focused mediation session on a single issue often resolves in two hours or less.
Every week spent comparing mediator fees without a line-item estimate is a week your $350-per-hour clock is not running — but your stress is. Book directly with Torres Mediation and get quoted to the hour.
How much does a divorce mediator charge per hour in Florida?
Florida divorce mediators charge $150 to $500 per hour in 2026. Attorney-mediators charge $200 to $500 hourly. Non-attorney mediators charge $100 to $350 hourly. Kim Torres charges $350 per hour in Brevard County with a two-hour virtual minimum.
Do Florida mediators charge flat fees for divorce cases?
Some Florida mediators offer flat-fee packages ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 for straightforward, uncontested divorces. Flat fees typically cover 8 to 10 hours of mediation plus drafting the Marital Settlement Agreement. Overage charges apply if the case exceeds the included hours.
What does a divorce mediator’s hourly rate include?
The hourly rate typically covers active session time, pre-session document review, and agreement drafting. At Torres Mediation, the $350 hourly rate covers all three services. Some mediators charge $500 to $1,500 separately for drafting a Marital Settlement Agreement.
Is a QDRO included in the mediation fee?
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order — the legal document required to divide a 401(k) or pension — is not included in mediation fees. QDRO drafting requires a separate attorney or specialist and costs $500 to $1,200 per retirement plan in Florida.
How much does court-connected mediation cost in Florida?
Court-connected family mediation fees under Fla. Stat. § 44.108 are $60 per person per session for couples earning less than $50,000 combined, and $120 per person per session for couples earning $50,000 to $99,999 combined. Indigent parties pay no fee.
Do attorney-mediators cost more than non-attorney mediators? Attorney-mediators charge $200 to $500 per hour and include agreement drafting in the hourly rate. Non-attorney mediators charge $100 to $350 per hour but require separate drafting at $500 to $1,500. The net cost difference narrows when drafting fees are included.
Does the mediator’s fee include the court filing fee?
The mediation fee does not include the Florida court filing fee of $418 ($408 base fee under Fla. Stat. § 28.241 plus $10 summons issuance). Both spouses pay the filing fee regardless of whether they choose mediation or litigation.
How much does an attorney review of a mediation agreement cost?
Attorney review of a completed Marital Settlement Agreement costs $500 to $1,500 in Florida. The review confirms that the agreement addresses tax implications, retirement division, and statutory compliance. Attorney review is separate from mediation fees.
Can virtual mediation reduce the total cost?
Virtual mediation eliminates travel time and facility costs, reducing total expense by 15% to 25% for couples outside the mediator’s county. Torres Mediation sets a two-hour minimum for virtual sessions compared to a three-hour minimum for in-person sessions.
How many hours of mediation does a typical Florida divorce require?
A straightforward Florida divorce mediation runs two to four hours in a single session. Cases with disputed parenting plans or complex assets require six to ten hours across two to three sessions. Preparation reduces total hours by one to two hours on average.