Alimony in Indian River County, Florida

Filing for alimony in Indian River County costs $408 as a base fee. That rises to $418 total if the case also requires a summons, which happens often when a spouse has not yet been served. You file the request inside a divorce petition with the Indian River County Clerk in Vero Beach, or through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Florida does not allow alimony as a stand-alone filing.

The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit's family mediation program handles contested alimony amounts, among other issues, and currently runs entirely remotely. A program representative contacts all parties at least 48 hours before a scheduled session to arrange the remote appearance. Eligibility caps at $100,000 in combined annual gross income. Reach the program directly at (772) 807-4370.

Statewide, Fla. Stat. 61.08 was rewritten effective July 1, 2023, and permanent alimony no longer exists in any Florida county, including Indian River. A judge here 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 length set by how long the marriage lasted.

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

Where alimony cases are heard in Indian River County, FL

Alimony matters in Indian River County, FL are handled by the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Indian River County, with the county seat in Vero Beach. 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 Indian River 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 Indian River County, FL

Indian River shares the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit with Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties. Several circuit programs, including mediation, work the same way across all four counties instead of varying county by county.

The circuit's Family Division also points self-represented parties toward the statewide Florida Courts Self Help Center and the Florida Supreme Court's approved family law forms at flcourts.gov, on top of what the Indian River Clerk's own Domestic Relations page covers directly.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the clerk about the indigency fee waiver process before you file. If mediation applies to your case, expect the 48-hour advance contact from the program representative instead of a fixed appointment time set at scheduling.

Official alimony resources in Indian River County, FL

Indian River County Courthouse handles spousal-support filings, located at 2000 16th Avenue, Vero Beach 32960.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The base filing fee is $408.00, rising to $418 total when a summons is also issued.

Indian River Clerk Domestic Relations / Nineteenth Circuit Family Division (https://indianriverclerk.com/court-services/domestic-relations/divorce/) can help with procedure and paperwork. The clerk's Domestic Relations page covers divorce filing procedure. The Nineteenth Circuit's Family Division page also points self-represented parties to the statewide Florida Courts Self Help Center and Florida Supreme Court approved family law forms at flcourts.gov.

• Divorce - Indian River County Clerk of the Circuit Court
• Family Division - Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida
• Mediation - Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida
• 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.

Indian River County, FL Alimony FAQs