LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Florida vs Georgia: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Florida and Georgia — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.

Georgia
Cheaper LLC
Georgia
Cheaper Divorce
Georgia
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Florida vs Georgia

Florida
Georgia

Filing Fee

$125
$100 WIN

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Annual Report

$138
$50 WIN

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$125
$100 WIN

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Florida: Annual report must be filed between January 1 and May 1 each year or a $400 late fee applies.

Georgia: Georgia's foreign qualification fee ($225) is more than double the domestic formation fee.

Florida: No state income tax — major advantage for profitable LLCs.

Georgia: Atlanta's business ecosystem makes Georgia attractive for Southeast operations.

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Small Claims Court: Florida vs Georgia

Florida
Georgia

Max Claim Limit

$8,000
$15,000 WIN

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$55
$45 WIN

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Contract SOL

5 yrs
6 yrs WIN

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Florida vs Georgia

Florida
Georgia

Filing Fee

$400
$200 WIN

✓ Georgia is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$40 WIN
$50

✓ Florida is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0 WIN
$50

✓ Florida is cheaper here

Notary Fees: Florida vs Georgia

Florida
Georgia

Acknowledgment

$10
$2

Jurat

$10
$2

RON Fee

$25
All Legal Costs in Florida →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Georgia →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Florida or Georgia cheaper to form an LLC?
Georgia is cheaper to form an LLC — $100 vs $125. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Florida year-1 total is $125 vs Georgia at $100.
What is the LLC filing fee in Florida vs Georgia?
The LLC filing fee is $125 in Florida vs $100 in Georgia. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Florida charges a $138 annual report fee and Georgia charges a $50 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Florida or Georgia?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in Florida, form there — registering in Georgia and then foreign-qualifying in Florida means paying fees to both states. The "form in a cheaper state" strategy mainly benefits online businesses with no physical location.
How do divorce filing fees compare between Florida and Georgia?
Georgia has lower divorce filing fees — $200 vs $400. Both states also charge for service of process ($40 in Florida, $50 in Georgia). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in Florida vs Georgia?
The small claims limit is $8,000 in Florida vs $15,000 in Georgia. Georgia allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $55 in Florida and $45 in Georgia.