Florida vs Texas: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)
Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Florida and Texas — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.
LLC Formation Costs: Florida vs Texas
| Metric | Florida | Texas | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $125 | $300 | Florida |
| Annual Report | $138.75 | $0 | Texas |
| Publication Cost | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Franchise Tax | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Est. Year-1 Total | $125 | $300 | Florida |
Filing Fee
Florida is cheaper here
Annual Report
Texas is cheaper here
Publication Cost
It's a tie
Franchise Tax
It's a tie
Est. Year-1 Total
Florida is cheaper here
Florida: Annual report must be filed between January 1 and May 1 each year or a $400 late fee applies.
Texas: Texas has no annual report fee, but foreign qualification costs $750. The $300 formation fee is offset by zero ongoing costs for most small LLCs.
Florida: No state income tax — major advantage for profitable LLCs.
Texas: No state income tax, no annual report fee, massive economy — one of the best states for small businesses.
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Small Claims Court: Florida vs Texas
| Metric | Florida | Texas | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Claim Limit | $8,000 | $20,000 | Texas |
| Min Filing Fee | $55 | $54 | Texas |
| Contract SOL | 5 yrs | 4 yrs | Florida |
Max Claim Limit
Texas is cheaper here
Min Filing Fee
Texas is cheaper here
Contract SOL
Florida is cheaper here
Divorce Filing Costs: Florida vs Texas
| Metric | Florida | Texas | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $400 | $300 | Texas |
| Sheriff Service | $40 | $75 | Florida |
| Children Surcharge | $0 | $20 | Florida |
Filing Fee
Texas is cheaper here
Sheriff Service
Florida is cheaper here
Children Surcharge
Florida is cheaper here
Notary Fees: Florida vs Texas
| Metric | Florida | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $10 | $10 |
| Jurat | $10 | $10 |
| RON Fee | $25 | $25 |
Acknowledgment
Jurat
RON Fee
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