Alimony in Charlotte County, Florida

Every family mediation session in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, including Charlotte County alimony disputes, now happens remotely by video, phone, or another electronic method instead of in person. Once both spouses file their financial affidavits, either party can pick an open slot on the circuit's JACS calendar and email Mediation-Charlotte@CA.CJIS20.org to confirm.

You request alimony inside a dissolution of marriage petition, not as a separate filing. Charlotte's fee schedule lists $408 for both the standard and simplified dissolution process. Filers can prepare the petition using the Clerk's Self-Help Service, an online tool for building the paperwork, or file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Florida rewrote its alimony statute effective July 1, 2023. Fla. Stat. 61.08 no longer allows permanent alimony anywhere, including Punta Gorda. A judge instead awards 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 with a length set by the marriage's duration.

Mediation cannot be scheduled until both spouses' financial affidavits, Form 12.902(b) or the shorter 12.902(c), are on file. Getting that paperwork done early can move a contested alimony case forward faster.

Where alimony cases are heard in Charlotte County, FL

Alimony matters in Charlotte County, FL are handled by the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Charlotte County, with the county seat in Punta Gorda. 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte County, FL

Charlotte falls under Admin. Orders 12.2 and 12.4, which established the Twentieth Circuit's Unified Family Court, and under Admin. Order 1.16, the circuit's general order for court-ordered mediation in family cases. Hearings and case management for alimony matters happen at the Charlotte County Justice Center in Punta Gorda.

The circuit requires 3 business days notice to cancel or postpone a scheduled mediation session. Missing that window can complicate rescheduling and delay your case further. Confirm your session through the same JACS calendar and Mediation-Charlotte email address you used to book it.

The Clerk's Self-Help Service runs entirely online rather than through an in-person office, which makes it convenient for preparing forms outside business hours. It cannot tell you what alimony amount to request or review your paperwork for legal sufficiency.

Official alimony resources in Charlotte County, FL

Charlotte County Justice Center handles spousal-support filings, located at 350 E. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda 33950.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Charlotte's fee schedule lists $408 for both standard and simplified dissolution of marriage.

Clerk of Court Self-Help Service (https://selfhelp.charlotteclerk.com/form/formdissolution/) can help with procedure and paperwork. The Clerk's Self-Help Service offers online guidance for preparing dissolution of marriage forms, which is where alimony gets requested. Mediation scheduling for family cases runs through the Twentieth Circuit's JACS calendar and a dedicated Mediation Coordinator. Admin. Order 1.16 (Court-Ordered Mediation in Circuit Civil, Family, Dependency & County Court Civil Cases) applies; see https://www.ca.cjis20.org/Documents/admin-orders.aspx. Admin. Order 12.2/12.4 (Establishment and Continuation of Unified Family Court) applies; see https://www.ca.cjis20.org/Documents/admin-orders.aspx.

• Charlotte Clerk Self-Help Service - Dissolution of Marriage
• Twentieth Judicial Circuit - Administrative Orders
• 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.

Charlotte County, FL Alimony FAQs