Alimony in Monroe County, Florida

Monroe County stretches roughly 120 miles from Key Largo to Key West. Rather than force everyone to travel to one central courthouse, the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit maintains three separate locations: the Freeman Justice Center in Key West, the Marathon Courthouse, and the Plantation Key Government Center in Tavernier. An alimony request, filed inside a dissolution of marriage petition, can be heard at whichever one your case is assigned to.

The filing fee is $408. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal works the same way for filers across the Keys, regardless of which physical courthouse would otherwise handle their case, which matters given the driving distances involved.

Fla. Stat. 61.08 was rewritten effective July 1, 2023. Permanent alimony no longer exists anywhere in Florida, Monroe County included. A judge here 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 length scaled to how long the marriage lasted.

Both spouses need a financial affidavit on file, Form 12.902(b) above $50,000 in annual income or 12.902(c) below that, before a judge will hear the alimony issue. The Sixteenth Circuit's Family Court Services page is the main entry point for case information across all three locations. Monroe does not appear to run a fee-based self-help center comparable to larger circuits.

Where alimony cases are heard in Monroe County, FL

Alimony matters in Monroe County, FL are handled by the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Monroe County, with the county seat in Key West. 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 Monroe 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 Monroe County, FL

Monroe spans three court locations across a long stretch of the Keys. Confirm with the clerk whether your specific alimony filing needs to go to Key West, or whether Marathon or Plantation Key can handle it. Not every case type necessarily routes to all three locations equally.

E-filing removes some of the geography problem, since it works the same for Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Key West residents alike. If you need to file on paper or attend an in-person hearing, plan your travel time carefully given how spread out Monroe County is.

Hours for all three locations, and for any in-person self-represented assistance, can change. Call ahead before making a long drive, especially from Islamorada or Key Largo toward Key West.

Official alimony resources in Monroe County, FL

Freeman Justice Center handles spousal-support filings, located at 302 Fleming Street, Key West 33040. Phone: 305-292-3423. Marathon Courthouse at 3117 Overseas Highway handles Family filings, including alimony matters, for the Middle Keys. Plantation Key Government Center at 88770 Overseas Highway, Suite 1 handles Family filings, including alimony matters, for the Upper Keys.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, available for filers anywhere in the Keys regardless of which of the three courthouses would otherwise handle their case.

Monroe County Clerk / Sixteenth Circuit Family Court Services (https://keyscourts.net/programs-services/family-court-services/) can help with procedure and paperwork. The Sixteenth Judicial Circuit's Family Court Services page is the main entry point for family case information across all three Monroe County court locations. A dedicated fee-based self-help center comparable to the larger circuits was not located; confirm current self-represented resources directly with the clerk.

• Family Court Services - Sixteenth Judicial Circuit
• Monroe County Clerk of the Circuit Court
• 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.

Monroe County, FL Alimony FAQs