In 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that reformed alimony laws in the state, eliminating permanent alimony as an option. While the bill prohibits permanent alimony arrangements after July 1, 2023, any non-modifiable permanent alimony order established before this date continues unhindered by the new law.
If you’re a Florida resident contemplating divorce, it’s important to understand how the state’s recent changes to its alimony laws can affect you. Specifically, it’s important to have a grasp of the new alimony options available. Keep reading to learn more about this topic and contact a family law attorney for personalized legal guidance.
Florida Creates New Categories for Alimony
With the overhaul that eliminated permanent alimony, Florida established four types of alimony: temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony. Each of these types is intended to meet a different set of needs, so it’s important to understand which type of alimony may apply to your divorce.
Temporary Alimony
Temporary alimony is established to provide a spouse with financial support throughout the divorce process. This type of alimony doesn’t expire until the divorce is settled, and a final alimony judgment may or may not reflect the features of the temporary order.
Bridge-the-Gap Alimony
The purpose of bridge-the-gap alimony is to help someone transition from their married life to a single, self-supporting life. In that vein, this type of alimony can only last up to two years.
Rehabilitative Alimony
Some spouses sacrifice education and employment opportunities to care for domestic duties. Lawmakers established rehabilitative alimony to provide financial support to spouses while they acquire an education or job skills to become self-supporting. This alimony may last up to five years, and a marriage must have lasted between three and 20 years for a spouse to qualify.
Durational Alimony
The court may order this type of alimony for a specific period that typically doesn’t exceed the duration of the marriage. Judges can also reduce or terminate durational alimony according to the payer’s age, health, or retirement plans. The existence of a payee’s supportive relationship with a third party is also grounds for termination.
Contact a Lawyer for Help with Alimony
The legal landscape of alimony in Florida has significantly changed after decades of precedent. This means that what you have previously understood about how alimony works may have substantially changed. When you need help navigating alimony-related matters during or post-divorce, you need a reliable family law attorney.
Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A. can provide the legal support you need during this time. Contact us today to arrange a consultation.