Divorce rarely happens overnight. In Florida, the process can take months, and sometimes longer, depending on the complexity of your case. During that time, bills still come due, children still need to be fed, and daily life does not pause while the court finalizes your dissolution of marriage. For many people going through a divorce in Boca Raton, Orlando, Tampa, or anywhere else in Florida, the pressing question is: can a judge order financial support before the divorce is actually final?
The short answer is yes. Florida law allows courts to issue temporary support orders during a pending divorce, and understanding how this process works can make a real difference in your financial stability while your case moves forward.
What Is Temporary Support in a Florida Divorce?
Temporary support is short-term financial assistance a court orders during a divorce to maintain the status quo until a final judgment is entered.
When a divorce case is filed in Florida, either spouse can ask the court for what is called pendente lite relief. This is Latin for “while the lawsuit is pending,” and it refers to temporary orders that remain in place only until the court issues a final divorce decree. These orders can cover several different types of financial support, including temporary alimony, temporary child support, and, in some cases, attorney’s fees and costs (known in Florida as “suit money”).
The purpose of pendente lite orders is straightforward. Courts recognize that the financial gap between filing for divorce and reaching a final settlement can create serious hardship, particularly for a spouse who earns less or who stayed home to care for children. These orders are designed to stabilize both households during the transition.
Temporary Alimony: What Florida Courts Consider
Florida courts may award temporary alimony based on one spouse’s financial need and the other spouse’s ability to pay during the divorce.
Under Florida Statute Section 61.071, a court may grant temporary alimony and suit money (including attorney’s fees and costs) to either party during the pendency of a divorce action. This is separate from any final alimony award the court might order after the case concludes. Temporary alimony is specifically intended to address the immediate financial needs that arise while the divorce is ongoing.
When evaluating a request for temporary alimony, the court looks at each party’s income, assets, liabilities, and reasonable needs. The court does not conduct the same detailed inquiry it would for a permanent alimony determination. Instead, the focus is on whether one party genuinely needs financial support right now and whether the other party has the ability to provide it.
Importantly, receiving temporary alimony does not guarantee that a court will award long-term alimony in the final judgment. The two determinations are made separately, though the temporary order gives the court an early look at the financial dynamics of the marriage.
Temporary Child Support During Divorce
Florida courts can order temporary child support to ensure children’s needs are met throughout the divorce process, calculated using the state’s income shares model.
When children are involved, the financial stakes are higher. Florida Statute Section 61.29 establishes the state’s child support guidelines, which apply to both temporary and final support orders. The guidelines use an income shares model, meaning the court looks at both parents’ incomes combined and assigns each parent a proportional share of the child support obligation.
A parent can request temporary child support at the same time as other pendente lite relief. The court can also address related issues like which parent will maintain the children’s health insurance coverage in the interim. Because children’s needs cannot wait for a final judgment, Florida judges tend to act on these requests with some urgency.
If you are in the middle of a contested divorce in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, or the Tampa Bay area, getting a temporary child support order in place early can prevent months of financial uncertainty for your family.
How to Request Temporary Support in Florida
To request temporary support, a party must file a motion with the court and may request a hearing, where both spouses present financial information.
The process begins with filing a motion for temporary relief with the circuit court handling your divorce case. The Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure govern how these motions are filed and scheduled. Your motion should outline your financial situation, your needs, and the basis for your request.
The court will typically schedule a hearing, where both parties can present evidence about their income and expenses. In some cases, particularly when parties agree, the court may enter a temporary support order by agreement without a contested hearing. In more contentious situations, a judge will review financial affidavits, pay stubs, and other documentation before ruling.
One important note: temporary orders can be modified if there is a substantial change in circumstances before the final judgment is entered. If your income or your spouse’s income shifts during the divorce, you can return to court and ask for an adjustment.
Protecting Your Financial Stability During Divorce
Divorce is a financially vulnerable time for most families, and the months between filing and finalizing can feel like a financial free fall if you do not have a support structure in place. Florida law gives courts real authority to bridge that gap, whether through temporary alimony, temporary child support, or both.
At Winthrop Law Offices, we work with clients across Central and South Florida, including in Orlando, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg, to help them understand their rights during every phase of the divorce process. If you have questions about temporary support or any other aspect of your Florida family law case, we are here to help you move forward with clarity.
To schedule a consultation, call us at 407-309-5998 or contact us through our website today.
Last updated: July 2026
