Temporary Relief Can Help You Handle Expenses While Your Fort Lauderdale Divorce Is Pending

Filing for divorce in Fort Lauderdale does not put your financial obligations on hold. Mortgages, utilities, credit card bills, and car payments all keep coming, even while your case works its way through the Broward County family court system.

Without a clear plan for managing shared expenses during this period, financial disputes can quickly make an already difficult process even more stressful. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney explains how temporary orders can help protect you financially from the moment you file.

What Florida Law Says About Finances During a Pending Divorce

When you file a divorce petition in Fort Lauderdale, both you and your spouse are subject to an automatic temporary injunction. The Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure prohibit divorcing spouses from dissipating marital assets, running up new debt, canceling insurance policies, or making any unusual financial moves without the other spouse’s consent or a court order.

Violating this injunction can seriously damage your credibility with the Broward County family court judge handling your case. Here is what you need to protect yourself instead:

• Keep paying your mortgage, utilities, car payment, and other essential household bills.
• Document every payment you make, saving receipts, bank statements, and records of all covered expenses
• Avoid opening new credit accounts or taking on new debt, as it could complicate the equitable distribution process.
• Do not drain joint bank accounts, as this can be considered dissipation of marital assets.
• If you and your spouse can agree on who pays which bills during the divorce, put it in writing.

Taking these steps can prevent financial problems from snowballing while your Fort Lauderdale divorce case is pending.

When to Ask the Court for Temporary Financial Relief

Under Florida Statutes Section 61.071, either spouse may request temporary financial relief, also known as pendente lite support.

Temporary relief may include temporary alimony, help covering attorney’s fees, and requiring a spouse to continue paying specific household bills. To protect your rights to it, take these steps:

• Gather proof of your household income and expenses.
• Request that the court issue a temporary support order if your spouse has cut off access to funds or refused to pay shared obligations.
• Avoid the temptation to retaliate, as canceling a spouse’s credit card or removing them from a bank account can backfire in court.
• Have an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney review the situation and advise you on the next steps.

A temporary order is not a permanent solution, but it can provide stability while a Broward County divorce is pending.

Contact an Experienced Fort Lauderdale Divorce Attorney Today

In a Broward County divorce, temporary orders can help protect your financial security. At The Law Office of Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A., our experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney can review your situation, advise you on available legal options, and take the actions needed to get you temporary relief. Contact our office online today to request a consultation and get the trusted legal guidance you need.

 Source:

flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/61.071