Yes, but there has to be a legal reason to appeal the order. You cannot appeal an order just because you don’t like the Judge’s decision.  There are several types of appeals depending on the type of order to be appealed.  For example, you could appeal an order of temporary spousal support or alimony, which by its very nature is a nonfinal order.  This type of appeal addresses only the decision being appealed, and the trial court may progress the case while the appeal is pending. Further, when considering a temporary order the trial judge is given great discretion in the decision reached.

Once your case is over you can appeal the entire final judgment, or parts within the judgment.  However, it must truly be a final judgment.  For example, if the case is resolved except that the court is reserving jurisdiction to determine equitable distribution, the judgment is not actually final.  In a recent case the appeals court declined jurisdiction because the case was not final.  This case is another example of the importance of following proper procedure.

When dealing with appeals there are strict deadlines for when an appeal must be filed.  Thus if you feel an appeal is necessary in your case you should discuss this immediately with an attorney as you may lose the opportunity to appeal if the appeal is not timely filed, even if the trial court did make an appealable mistake.

See, Wright v. Wright, 36 Fla. L. Weekly D2423(Fla. 1st DCA 2011).

Dustin Michael Butler is an Attorney with Martin Law Firm, P.L., whose practice focuses in Family Law and Civil Litigation.  He is admitted to practice law in the State of Florida and the Federal Court for the Middle District of Florida. He primarily practices in Lee County Florida in Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Florida.