Alimony in Florida
State-specific overview · Family Law
Florida uses statutory guidelines to calculate alimony based on combined parental income and marriage length, with four recognized types of support.
How Florida treats Alimony
Florida recognizes four types of alimony: temporary (during divorce proceedings), bridge-the-gap (short-term support), rehabilitative (to help a spouse become self-supporting), and durational or permanent (based on marriage length and other factors). Courts apply income guidelines up to a statutory cap and consider factors like earning capacity, age, health, and contributions to the marriage. Alimony terminates upon the death of either party or the recipient's remarriage, and may be modified if circumstances change substantially.
The general definition of Alimony
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another after divorce or separation.
Alimony is money that a court requires one spouse to pay to the other after they divorce or legally separate. It's designed to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a similar standard of living they had during the marriage. The amount and duration depend on factors like how long the marriage lasted, each person's income and earning ability, and their age and health. Alimony is different from child support, which is specifically for children's needs.
Read the full Alimony entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Florida.