Florida Ends Permanent Alimony

two hands reviewing contract with divorce ring and penFlorida is no longer one of a handful of states allowing Judges to grant permanent alimony in divorce proceedings. Prior to the change, former spouses could be awarded permanent alimony, which was ongoing financial support intended to continue indefinitely until certain circumstances changed. Though other forms of alimony will be available, there will no longer be an option of indefinite duration.

Types of Alimony in Florida

With the removal of permanent alimony, Florida residents now have four financial spousal support solutions: temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony.

  • Temporary Alimony – is granted during the divorce proceedings and is intended to provide financial assistance to a spouse until the final divorce settlement is reached.
  • Bridge-the-Gap Alimony – is a short-term form of support and cannot exceed two years. It is designed to help a spouse transition from being married to being single and self-supporting.
  • Rehabilitative Alimony – provides financial support to a spouse while they undergo education, training, or other programs to gain the skills necessary to become self-supporting.
  • Durational Alimony – is awarded for a specific period of time that cannot typically exceed the length of the marriage.

Spousal support and alimony always have the potential to be a contentious part of divorce and family law. The new legislation, which became effective on July 1, 2023, impacts the initial alimony determination and extends to alimony modifications. Our Naples alimony lawyers can help you understand your current agreement and the funds you are entitled to receive. Arrange a consultation by calling Woodward Pires & Lombardo, P.A. on 239-649-6555 or contact us online today.

New Law Also Impacts Durational Alimony

In addition to ending permanent alimony as a spousal support option, the new legislation restricts the duration and amount of “durational” alimony.

Judges can now reduce or terminate payments based on certain factors, including the payer’s age, health, retirement plans, and the existence of a “supportive relationship.” The bill introduces a five-year limit on rehabilitative alimony and sets eligibility for payments between 3 to 20 years of marriage.

For those currently paying alimony, a process will be created to seek modifications to the agreement upon retirement.

Does Florida’s New Legislation Affect Existing Alimony Payments?

The new law is not retroactive for ex-spouses with non-modifiable alimony plans and will not change your current agreement. Alimony plans that could be modified before July 1, 2023, are subject to the new statutes.

Speak with an Alimony Lawyer Today

Eliminating permanent alimony is a significant revamp of Florida’s divorce laws and marks the culmination of more than a decade of efforts to reform Florida’s divorce process. If you have questions about how the new law impacts your alimony agreement, we encourage you to contact a Florida alimony lawyer. Arrange a consultation by calling Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A. at 239-649-6555 or send us an e-mail today.

Read in Encompass Magazine.

Related post: When to Contact a Divorce Attorney in Florida