Attorney’s Fees & Costs in Florida Family Law | Rier Jordan P.A.

Attorney’s Fees and Legal Costs in Florida Family Law

Legal fees can be a major concern during any family law dispute. Whether you are filing for divorce, enforcing a court order, or modifying a parenting plan, understanding how attorney’s fees and costs work in Florida is essential.

At Rier Jordan P.A., our experienced Miami family law attorneys provide clear guidance on fee responsibility, recovery options, and court-awarded attorney’s fees — helping clients plan with confidence and fairness.

We not only fight to protect your legal rights, but also to ensure that legal costs are handled equitably under Florida law.

Who Pays Attorney’s Fees in Florida Family Law Cases?

Under Florida Statute §61.16, courts have the discretion to order one party to pay some or all of the other party’s attorney’s fees and costs in family law cases — including divorce, custody, and support matters.

The guiding principle is fairness and financial ability. The court seeks to ensure that both parties have equal access to competent legal representation, especially when there is a significant financial disparity between spouses.

Common Situations Where Fees May Be Awarded:

• One party earns substantially more income than the other

• One spouse controls most marital assets or resources

• One party acts in bad faith, unnecessarily prolonging litigation

• The court determines a fee award is necessary to achieve justice

Our attorneys help clients petition for or defend against fee awards, ensuring that the outcome reflects both fairness and the actual conduct of the case.

Types of Attorney’s Fees and Costs

Florida family courts may award several types of legal fees and costs, including:

💼 Temporary Attorney’s Fees

Granted early in the case to help a financially dependent spouse secure representation.

⚖️ Need-Based Attorney’s Fees

Awarded when one party lacks the financial means to pay their own attorney, but the other has sufficient resources.

📄 Sanctions or Bad-Faith Fees

Ordered when one party acts in bad faith, refuses to comply with court orders, or files frivolous motions that drive up costs.

🧾 Post-Judgment Fees

Awarded after the conclusion of a case — often in enforcement or modification actions — when one party’s refusal to comply forces additional litigation.

💬 Appellate Attorney’s Fees

May be awarded if one party must defend or prosecute an appeal in good faith.

At Rier Jordan P.A., we carefully document and present all legal time, costs, and case-specific factors to help our clients pursue or protect against these awards.

Factors Courts Consider When Awarding Attorney’s Fees

When deciding whether to award attorney’s fees, Florida courts evaluate:

• Each party’s financial resources (income, assets, and liabilities)

• The reasonableness of the fees requested

• The necessity and outcome of the work performed

• Whether either party acted in bad faith or with delay tactics

• The complexity of the case and the time required

Our firm ensures your financial disclosures and fee petitions are prepared with precision and transparency, giving the court a clear basis to rule in your favor.

Attorney’s Fees in Divorce Cases

Divorce often involves substantial financial imbalance between spouses.
Courts can order the higher-earning spouse to pay some or all of the lower-earning spouse’s attorney’s fees to ensure fair access to justice.

We regularly represent clients in divorce cases involving:

• High net worth individuals

• Business owners or professionals

• Complex property division and alimony disputes

Our attorneys ensure that fee requests are well-supported and that unreasonable claims are vigorously challenged.

Fees in Enforcement and Contempt Actions

If your ex-spouse or co-parent violates a court order — for example, failing to pay child support or alimony — and you must return to court to enforce compliance, you may also recover your attorney’s fees and court costs.

Florida courts frequently award fees in enforcement or contempt cases when one party’s willful noncompliance causes unnecessary litigation.

Attorney’s Fees in Modification Cases

When seeking to modify a parenting plan, support order, or alimony, the same fairness principles apply.
If one party has the financial ability to pay and the other does not, the court can award fees accordingly.

Our firm represents both payors and recipients, ensuring your financial interests are protected at every stage of the legal process.

How to Request Attorney’s Fees in Florida

You may request attorney’s fees by filing a Motion for Attorney’s Fees and Costs with supporting evidence such as:

• Detailed billing records

• Affidavits of financial need

• Documentation of the opposing party’s income and assets

• Proof of bad faith or unnecessary litigation

Our attorneys ensure your motion meets all procedural and evidentiary requirements, increasing the likelihood of a successful award.

If you’re facing a family law case and are worried about attorney’s fees, contact Rier Jordan P.A. today for clear, honest legal guidance.

Let our experienced attorneys help you understand your rights — and fight for a fair resolution of your legal costs.

Why Choose Rier Jordan P.A.

✅ Experienced Miami Family Law Attorneys
✅ Deep Understanding of Fee-Shifting and Recovery Laws
✅ Aggressive Advocacy for Financial Fairness
✅ Transparent Billing and Ethical Representation
✅ Trusted by Clients and Courts Across South Florida

At Rier Jordan P.A., we believe in fairness — both in the courtroom and in how legal costs are handled.

Serving Clients Across South Florida

We proudly represent clients throughout:

• Miami-Dade County

• Broward County

• Palm Beach County

• Monroe County (Florida Keys)

• And across the State of Florida