Alimony in Pinellas County, Florida

Florida no longer allows permanent alimony, and that applies to every case heard at the Clearwater Courthouse for Pinellas County. Fla. Stat. 61.08 was rewritten effective July 1, 2023. Now, when a Pinellas family judge awards spousal support, the choices are temporary support during the case, bridge-the-gap support capped at 2 years, rehabilitative support tied to a specific plan and capped at 5 years, or durational support with a length cap based on how long the marriage lasted.

You do not file a separate lawsuit for alimony in Pinellas County. Instead, you request it inside your dissolution of marriage petition, or later through a supplemental petition if you want to change an existing order. The Pinellas County Clerk accepts either one at the Clearwater Courthouse, the St. Petersburg branch, or the North County branch. Self-represented filers can also use the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Before a judge takes up an alimony issue, both spouses must file a financial affidavit: Form 12.902(b) for incomes over $50,000 a year, or the shorter 12.902(c) below that threshold. These forms disclose income, expenses, assets, and debts. A judge weighs them against the statutory durational caps and the requesting spouse's demonstrated need.

Pinellas has three Clerk locations, so always confirm the courtroom listed on your notice of hearing. Don't assume your case will be heard wherever you filed.

Where alimony cases are heard in Pinellas County, FL

Alimony matters in Pinellas County, FL are handled by the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Pinellas County, with the county seat in Clearwater. 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 Pinellas 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 Pinellas County, FL

Pinellas shares the Sixth Judicial Circuit with Pasco County. The circuit keeps a set of locally approved family forms beyond the statewide 12.9xx series. If your alimony request involves a hearing on temporary support, check the circuit's forms list for any required local notice before you file.

Contested alimony amounts in Pinellas commonly get sent to mediation. The circuit calculates the fee on a sliding scale tied to household income under Fla. Stat. 44.108, using an Affidavit for Establishing Mediation Fees to set the number for each party.

The dissolution filing fee that covers an alimony request is $408. An indigency fee waiver is available through the clerk for parties who cannot afford it. The Pinellas Clerk's dedicated self-help page is not accessible for automated verification, so call ahead to confirm current hours before visiting any of the three branch locations.

Official alimony resources in Pinellas County, FL

Pinellas County Courthouse (Clearwater Courthouse) handles spousal-support filings, located at 315 Court St., Clearwater 33756.

The filing fee is $408. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys under Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.525. Self-represented parties requesting alimony may file on paper at any Clerk office, including the Clearwater Courthouse, the St. Petersburg branch, or the North County branch.

Legal Self Help Center (https://www.jud6.org/representing-yourself-in-court/) can help with procedure and paperwork. Reached through the Sixth Judicial Circuit's Representing Yourself in Court page, which links the Pinellas Clerk's own self-help materials. The Pinellas Clerk's dedicated Self-Help page blocked automated verification, so confirm current hours and services directly with the clerk before visiting.

• Sixth Judicial Circuit - Representing Yourself in Court
• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status
• 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.

Pinellas County, FL Alimony FAQs