When your non-working spouse depends on you for money, you might assume that, as the earning spouse, you have to pay support forever after a divorce. However, in Florida, permanent alimony no longer exists.
The Elimination of Permanent Alimony
On July 1, 2023, Florida passed a bill that officially removed permanent alimony. Florida judges can no longer order someone to pay alimony indefinitely. Instead, a judge may order one of these four types of support:
- Durational Alimony: You pay financial support for a set period based on the length of the marriage.
- Rehabilitative Alimony: You help your non-working spouse obtain education, training, or credentials needed to re-enter the workforce and become self-supporting (capped at five years).
- Bridge-the-Gap Alimony: You provide short-term financial assistance to help your spouse cover immediate transition needs after separation (capped at two years).
- Temporary Alimony: You pay this during active divorce proceedings to cover your spouse’s basic living expenses until the judge enters a final judgment.
Before awarding alimony, a Florida judge typically considers multiple factors, including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, and the financial circumstances of both parties.
What if the Court Issued the Judgment Before 2023?
The new law applies only to divorce cases filed or still pending on or after July 1, 2023. It does not automatically cancel older permanent alimony orders the court finalized before that date. If the court ordered you to pay permanent alimony before the law changed, you may not be able to stop those payments without a modification of your court order.
Minimizing Your Financial Liability
If you want to lower your financial obligation during a Florida divorce, you need a clear strategy. Start by collecting your current financial records, past spending habits, and other details that could impact the support amount. Consulting a family law attorney can help you build the best plan.