Alimony in Highlands County, Florida

The Highlands County Clerk keeps more than 16 self-help checklists at its Pro Se Law Library in Sebring. One checklist covers support or alimony modification specifically, which makes Highlands more open about pricing than several of its rural neighbors. The library is in Room 102 of the Highlands County Courthouse, 430 S. Commerce Avenue, and you can reach it at (863) 402-6565.

You request alimony inside a dissolution of marriage petition, not as a stand-alone filing. Highlands' simplified dissolution packet costs $18.50, and a dissolution with children runs $49.05. You can also use TurboCourt, an interactive online tool the clerk links for preparing forms yourself, or file through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The underlying filing fee is $408.

Fla. Stat. 61.08 was rewritten effective July 1, 2023, and permanent alimony is now gone everywhere in Florida, Highlands County included. A judge weighing an alimony request in Sebring instead chooses among 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 cap set by the length of the marriage.

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

Where alimony cases are heard in Highlands County, FL

Alimony matters in Highlands County, FL are handled by the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Highlands County, with the county seat in Sebring. 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 Highlands 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 Highlands County, FL

Highlands is part of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, alongside Hardee and Polk counties. Contested alimony amounts can be referred to mediation under the circuit's shared framework, which also publishes guidance for appearing by Zoom or Teams when a hearing is held remotely.

The Pro Se Law Library's checklists let you look up the exact steps for a support or alimony modification before you ever talk to staff, which can save a trip if you already know which packet you need. Staff will point you to the right checklist and packet fee, but they cannot tell you what to write on it or predict what a judge will order.

If the $408 filing fee or a packet price is out of reach, ask the Pro Se Law Library about the indigency fee waiver process before you file. Bring documentation of your income when you ask.

Official alimony resources in Highlands County, FL

Highlands County Courthouse handles spousal-support filings, located at 430 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring 33870. Phone: (863) 402-6565.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/. The clerk's site also links TurboCourt, an interactive online tool for self-preparing dissolution forms, as an alternative to buying a paper packet.

Pro Se Law Library (https://www.highlandsclerkfl.gov/clerk_to_the_court/pro_se____law_library/self_help_checklists_and_forms.php) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located at the Highlands County Courthouse, Room 102, 430 S. Commerce Ave, Sebring. Offers more than 16 self-help checklists, including one specifically for support or alimony modification, plus a packet fee schedule, for example Dissolution with Children $49.05 and Simplified Dissolution $18.50. Phone (863) 402-6565.

• Highlands Clerk - Pro Se Law Library Self-Help Checklists and Forms
• Tenth Judicial Circuit Self-Help
• 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.

Highlands County, FL Alimony FAQs