Author: Staff
Date: Jul 16 2023
Date: Jul 16 2023
The Alimony Reform Bill was officially approved by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 30, 2023. This bill will result in significant changes to the manner in which alimony is granted in Florida. For a favorable outcome, it is essential to have a skilled attorney who is well-informed on the current legislation and its potential impact on your case.
What is the most significant change introduced by this bill? The elimination of “permanent” alimony. As a result, there will no longer be indefinite payments of support to an ex-spouse following a divorce. Durational alimony will replace what was once known as permanent alimony. This will be calculated based on the duration of the marriage, which would fall within the following 3 categories: short-term, moderate-term and long-term.
The table below shows the length of time associated with each of those categories.
With the passage of the Alimony Reform Bill, new formulas have been created to determine the maximum duration of alimony payments. The duration of alimony is now based on the length of the marriage:
- Short-term marriage: 50% of the length of the marriage
- Moderate-term marriage: 60% of the length of the marriage
- Long-term marriage: 75% of the length of the marriage
The graphic below gives an example of how durational alimony would be calculated based on the length of the marriage:
There are four circumstances that can impact the duration of alimony.
- The Payee’s Age and the ability to support themself
- The Payor’s financial resources
- Existence of mental or physical disability affecting the Payee
- Involvement of a disabled child that may hinder the Payee's ability to work
No changes will automatically be applied to existing alimony agreements under this new law. The Alimony Reform Bill is not retroactive. Only those agreements that were previously eligible for modification can possibly be changed in the future under this new law.
We understand that this reform affects both sides of the coin, those receiving and paying alimony support. At Florida Women’s Law Group, we understand that having an experienced and knowledgeable attorney is crucial to achieving a favorable outcome. If you're unsure about how the Alimony Reform Bill might affect you, reach out to us today.
