You built your life around this marriage. You stepped back from your career, held the household together, raised the kids, and made choices that made sense at the time, but it has left you financially dependent in ways you are only now fully reckoning with. You may be wondering if there is permanent alimony in Florida and whether the court might require your spouse to support you long-term.
At Newlon Law, P.A., we understand that what you are really asking is whether you are going to be okay. We walk through every option with you and make sure you leave that first conversation knowing what steps to take next.
Does Florida Have Permanent Alimony?
You may have heard that Florida awards permanent alimony, maybe from a friend who went through a divorce a few years ago, or from something you read online. However, permanent alimony in Florida no longer exists for new cases. If your case is just beginning, the court now has other options to provide you with the support you need, based on the specifics of your marriage and financial situation.
What Types of Alimony in Florida Are Available Today?
Florida courts now work with four types of alimony, and the right combination depends entirely on your circumstances. Rather than a single open-ended award, courts build support around your specific needs and timeline:
- Temporary alimony. These payments cover the period while your divorce is pending, helping you maintain stability before the court enters a final judgment.
- Bridge-the-gap alimony. Designed to address identifiable short-term needs as you transition to single life, this type cannot exceed two years, cannot be modified once the court enters the order, and terminates immediately upon the death of either spouse or the recipient’s remarriage.
- Rehabilitative alimony. If you need time to rebuild skills, finish a degree, or gain work experience before you can support yourself, this type of alimony supports that process for up to five years. It requires a written plan outlining what you will accomplish during that period and terminates upon the death of either spouse or the recipient’s remarriage.
- Durational alimony. This form is the primary long-term support tool available today, providing financial support for a defined period based on the length of your marriage.
In some cases, the court may layer a short-term type of alimony, such as rehabilitative alimony, on top of durational alimony when a spouse needs immediate support to become partially self-supporting before longer-term payments begin.
What Is Permanent Alimony and Why Does It Matter That It’s Gone?
Permanent alimony was an open-ended support obligation with no fixed end date. Courts awarded it most often in long marriages where one spouse had little realistic ability to become self-supporting due to age, years out of the workforce, or health. For someone in that position, it represented genuine long-term security.
Its elimination means that, even in long marriages involving major financial sacrifice, the court now operates within defined durational limits rather than awarding lifetime support without an endpoint. Understanding that shift early can affect how you approach settlement negotiations, financial planning, and expectations about long-term support.
What Does the Court Look at When Deciding Alimony?
Before deciding on the duration or amount of alimony, the court first determines whether an award is appropriate. The requesting spouse must show genuine financial need, and the other must be able to pay.
The court considers:
- The standard of living established during the marriage;
- The length of the marriage;
- Each spouse’s earning capacity and employability; and
- Contributions to the marriage, including raising children or supporting the other spouse’s career.
For spouses who stepped away from a career to support a household or raise children, those contributions can carry significant weight.
How Long Can Durational Alimony Last?
Durational alimony fills the space that permanent alimony once occupied, and its maximum length depends on how long the marriage lasted. Florida law defines three marriage length categories and sets a payment ceiling for each:
- Less than 10 years—may not exceed 50% of the length of the marriage;
- Between 10 and 20 years—may not exceed 60% of the length of the marriage; and
- 20 years or more—may not exceed 75% of the marriage’s duration.
For example, in a 25-year marriage, durational alimony would generally be capped at just under 19 years. The court can extend durational alimony beyond these limits under exceptional circumstances, but the spouse requesting the extension must meet a demanding standard of proof.
The amount awarded cannot exceed 35% of the difference between the net incomes of both spouses, or the recipient’s reasonable need, whichever is less.
Does an Existing Order for Permanent Alimony in Florida Still Stand?
Yes. If a court entered a permanent alimony order before July 1, 2023, that order generally remains valid and enforceable on its original terms. The elimination of permanent alimony applies only to petitions filed after that date.
However, your permanent order may be subject to a modification petition from the paying spouse if their circumstances change significantly, which is a separate conversation worth having with an attorney if you are in that position.
Why Should You Trust Newlon Law, P.A., with Your Alimony Case?
An attorney who has been embedded in this area of law understands what Florida’s significantly changed 2023 alimony law means for your case. Jon Newlon has practiced family law in Dade City and Pasco County for nearly three decades, and he brings a perspective to alimony cases that goes beyond the courtroom.
His early career in tax and business transactions gave him the financial grounding to handle high-stakes support disputes with the same precision he applies to asset division and business valuation. Jon has personally navigated divorce, and that experience informs the empathy and realistic planning he brings to every client relationship. When the law changes and the stakes are high, experience and preparation are not optional.
Protect Your Financial Future Today
At Newlon Law, P.A., we help clients evaluate support issues with careful preparation, practical financial analysis, and a clear understanding of how Florida courts now approach long-term alimony.
Contact Newlon Law, P.A., today and let us show you the different types of alimony available in Florida and what support actually looks like for someone in your specific situation before you make any decisions.
Legal References Used to Inform This Page:
To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process: