LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

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.

Florida
Cheaper LLC
Texas
Cheaper Divorce
Texas
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Florida vs Texas

Florida
Texas

Filing Fee

$125 WIN
$300

✓ Florida is cheaper here

Annual Report

$138
$0 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$125 WIN
$300

✓ 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

Florida
Texas

Max Claim Limit

$8,000
$20,000 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$55
$54 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Contract SOL

5 yrs WIN
4 yrs

✓ Florida is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Florida vs Texas

Florida
Texas

Filing Fee

$400
$300 WIN

✓ Texas is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$40 WIN
$75

✓ Florida is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0 WIN
$20

✓ Florida is cheaper here

Notary Fees: Florida vs Texas

Florida
Texas

Acknowledgment

$10
$10

Jurat

$10
$10

RON Fee

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Florida or Texas cheaper to form an LLC?
Florida is cheaper to form an LLC — $125 vs $300. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Florida year-1 total is $125 vs Texas at $300.
What is the LLC filing fee in Florida vs Texas?
The LLC filing fee is $125 in Florida vs $300 in Texas. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Florida charges a $138 annual report fee and Texas has no annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Florida or Texas?
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 Texas 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 Texas?
Texas has lower divorce filing fees — $300 vs $400. Both states also charge for service of process ($40 in Florida, $75 in Texas). 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 Texas?
The small claims limit is $8,000 in Florida vs $20,000 in Texas. Texas allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $55 in Florida and $54 in Texas.