Alimony in Broward County, Florida

Broward County handles every family case, including alimony requests, at one building: the Central Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Family Court Services keeps its own office there, Suite 19140, open weekdays from 8:30am to 5pm at (954) 831-6770. That office runs court-ordered social investigations at no charge. It also refers parties to outside providers for parenting coordination, counseling, and similar services, some of which carry their own cost.

You request alimony inside a dissolution of marriage petition. Broward's filing fee is $409, payable through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal or in person or by mail at the Central Courthouse.

Florida law changed statewide, Broward included, when Fla. Stat. 61.08 was rewritten effective July 1, 2023. Permanent alimony no longer exists. A Broward judge now picks from temporary support during the case, bridge-the-gap support capped at 2 years, rehabilitative support tied to a plan and capped at 5 years, or durational support scaled to the marriage's length.

Both spouses must file a financial affidavit before a judge will hear alimony: Form 12.902(b) for income above $50,000 a year, or 12.902(c) below that.

Where alimony cases are heard in Broward County, FL

Alimony matters in Broward County, FL are handled by the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Broward County, with the county seat in Fort Lauderdale. Because courthouse locations, hours, and local procedures change over time, use the Florida court clerk directory to confirm current details for your case:

Find the Broward County, FL Clerk of Court (Florida court clerk directory)

How alimony works in Florida

Florida ended permanent alimony in a 2023 reform to Florida Statutes chapter 61 (section 61.08). Today a judge can order bridge-the-gap alimony (short-term, to help a spouse transition, capped at two years), rehabilitative alimony (tied to a specific plan to become self-supporting), durational alimony (a set period, generally not longer than the length of the marriage, except in exceptional circumstances), or temporary alimony while the case is pending. There is no formula the way there is for child support; a judge weighs each spouse's need and ability to pay, the standard of living during the marriage, the length of the marriage, and the factors listed in section 61.08.

Alimony is requested inside a dissolution of marriage case, using each spouse's Financial Affidavit (Florida Supreme Court approved family law form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c) depending on income), and can be resolved by agreement or decided at trial. Temporary alimony while the case is pending is requested by motion; your circuit's procedures determine how that motion gets set for hearing.

Local notes for Broward County, FL

The Seventeenth Circuit publishes administrative orders by category, including a Unified Family category and a local rule for the Uniform Motion Calendar covering certain motion types. Which procedure applies to your alimony case depends on your assigned division and judge. Check your case's own docket instead of assuming one circuit-wide process applies.

Family Court Services can order a social investigation at no charge when custody and support issues overlap in your case. Its outside referrals, such as counseling, are not always free. Ask staff which services apply to your specific filing.

If the $409 filing fee is out of reach, ask the Broward Clerk about the indigency fee waiver process before you file. Bring income documentation. The same records often support both a fee waiver and a financial affidavit.

Official alimony resources in Broward County, FL

Broward County Courthouse (Central Courthouse) handles spousal-support filings, located at 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale 33301.

The filing fee is $409. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; in-person and mail filing also available through the Broward Clerk's Family division at the Central Courthouse.

Family Court Services (FCS), Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (https://www.17th.flcourts.org/family-court-services) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located inside the Central Courthouse, Suite 19140, 201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale. Open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. Phone (954) 831-6770. Provides court-ordered social investigations at no charge and referrals to outside providers for parenting coordination, anger management, family counseling, and supervised visitation; outside referrals can carry their own cost. Local Rule (Uniform Motion Calendar) (Uniform Motion Calendar - Ex Parte Motions to Compel Discovery, and Special Set Hearings) applies; see https://www.17th.flcourts.org/administrative-orders/.

• Family Court Services - Seventeenth Judicial Circuit
• Broward County Clerk of Courts
• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• Fla. Stat. 61.08 - Alimony

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Broward County, FL Alimony FAQs