Temporary support and custody

One of the questions I got today involves temporary support:

"I don't have a job yet because I've been a homemaker for ten years; if I file for divorce, how will I survive until the judge awards alimony and child support?"

Florida law allows for temporary custody, visitation, alimony and child support. In other words, the judge can allow for temporary money to be paid to you as alimony and child support during the pendency of the divorce. The judge can also temporarily assign custody and visitation. Each of these things requires a motion, and you can put all of your requests for temporary things (we lawyers call them "temps") in one motion.

Many counties and judges require that you attend a mediation before they will agree to temporary awards.

Usually, an award of temps has no bearing on what the final ruling will be on permament alimony, child support, custody, etc.