Florida Alimony Laws
Divorce can strain a household budget and future plans. Florida updated its alimony rules in 2023, so new cases involve temporary, bridge the gap, rehabilitative, or durational support, each with defined time limits and standards. Courts start with need and ability to pay, then weigh marriage length, lifestyle, income, health, and contributions under § 61.08. At Fanash Family Law, P.A. in Orlando, we focus on how these factors play out in local courts across Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Volusia, and we convert pay records and budgets into clear proposals for mediation or hearings.
What Is Alimony in Florida
Alimony, also called spousal support, is financial support that a court may order during or after a divorce. The court answers two questions first. The requesting spouse has a genuine financial need. The other spouse has the ability to pay. If both are proven, the court considers the statutory factors and selects the type, amount, and duration of support.
Florida law recognizes four forms of alimony in new cases: temporary, bridge the gap, rehabilitative, and durational. Permanent alimony is not available in new cases filed on or after July 1, 2023.
Alimony at a Glance
- Need and ability to pay are the threshold questions
- Four types in new cases: temporary, bridge the gap, rehabilitative, durational
- Durational alimony has statutory caps tied to marriage length
- An award should not leave the payor with significantly less net income than the recipient without exceptional findings
Types of Alimony in Florida
| Type | Maximum duration | Purpose | Key rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary | During the divorce case only | Short term support while the case is pending | Ends at final judgment |
| Bridge the gap | Up to 2 years | Identifiable, short transition needs | Not modifiable in amount or duration. Ends at death or recipient remarriage |
| Rehabilitative | Up to 5 years | Education or training to restore earning capacity | Requires a written plan. Modifiable or terminable for substantial change, plan completion, or noncompliance |
| Durational | Not available if the marriage lasted under 3 years. Otherwise capped at 50 percent of a short term marriage, 60 percent of a moderate term marriage, or 75 percent of a long term marriage. Not longer than the marriage except in exceptional cases | Economic assistance for a set period | Amount is the lesser of the recipient’s reasonable need or 35 percent of the difference in net incomes. Ends at death or recipient remarriage. Duration changes only in exceptional circumstances |
How Central Florida Courts Decide Alimony
Courts use a two step analysis. First, need and ability to pay. Second, if both are proven, the court weighs statutory factors to decide type, amount, and duration.
Key factors include:
- Length of the marriage
- Standard of living during the marriage and realistic post divorce budgets
- Age and health of each spouse
- Income, assets, and debts of each spouse
- Education, employability, and earning capacity
- Contributions to the marriage, including childcare and homemaking
- Parenting responsibilities
- Adultery and its economic impact, if relevant
- Any other factor needed for fairness
Marriage length definitions used by the statute:
- Short term: less than 10 years
- Moderate term: 10 to 20 years
- Long term: 20 years or more
For longer marriages, durational alimony is how Florida now provides extended financial help, and the duration cap climbs with marriage length. Our guide to long-term spousal support breaks down how amount and duration are set for these cases.
How Amounts Are Set
For durational alimony, the amount is the lesser of the recipient’s reasonable need or 35 percent of the difference in the parties’ net incomes
An award should not leave the payor with significantly less net income than the recipient without exceptional findings
Modification or Termination
Many alimony orders can change after a substantial, material, and continuing change in circumstances. Examples include retirement at a reasonable age, a supportive relationship, significant changes to income or health, or completion or failure of a rehabilitative plan. Bridge the gap alimony is not modifiable in amount or duration. A court may reduce or terminate alimony if it makes specific findings of a supportive relationship between the recipient and another adult.
Note on older orders: Permanent alimony from older cases can remain in effect unless modified under current law.
Local Alimony Cases in Orlando and Nearby
Most Orlando cases are heard at the Orange County Courthouse within the Ninth Judicial Circuit, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801. Helpful resources include:
Additional clerk resources:
Why Choose Fanash Family Law
At Fanash Family Law, P.A., we focus alimony strategy on what judges in Central Florida weigh under § 61.08, including need, ability to pay, marriage length, and the financial record. We turn budgets, lifestyle evidence, and income documentation into clear proposals for mediation and court. Our Orlando team serves clients across Winter Park, Kissimmee, Sanford, Lake Mary, and the greater Central Florida area.
Meet Your Florida Alimony Attorney
Zuhair D. Fanash is the founding partner of Fanash Family Law, P.A.. His practice focuses on family law, including alimony, child support, and property division. Clients turn to the firm for preparation, clear communication, and courtroom readiness. The team represents clients in Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Clermont, Apopka, Ocoee, Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, and Oviedo.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. For new cases, courts may award temporary, bridge the gap, rehabilitative, or durational alimony. Older permanent alimony orders can remain unless modified under current law.
Up to 50 percent of a short term marriage, 60 percent of a moderate term marriage, or 75 percent of a long term marriage. Durational alimony is not available if the marriage lasted under 3 years.
For durational alimony, the amount is the lesser of the recipient’s need or 35 percent of the difference in the parties net incomes. An award should not leave the payor with significantly less net income than the recipient without exceptional findings.
Often yes. Modification or termination can follow a substantial change in circumstances, including reasonable retirement or a supportive relationship.
Options include a motion for civil contempt and enforcement, an income deduction order directed to the payor’s employer, a judgment for arrears, liens, and wage garnishment where applicable. Remedies depend on the language in the order and the facts of the case.
Temporary lasts during the case. Bridge the gap up to 2 years. Rehabilitative up to 5 years with a plan. Durational depends on marriage length, up to 50 percent of a short term marriage, 60 percent of a moderate term, or 75 percent of a long term, and not available if the marriage was under 3 years.
Yes, if the prenup is valid under Florida law. Courts can still order temporary support during the case or limited support to avoid public assistance.
Understand Your Alimony Rights and Options
Alimony decisions affect housing, health coverage, retirement planning, and daily budgeting. If you are in Orlando, Winter Park, Kissimmee, Sanford, or another Central Florida community, a focused plan can help you move forward.