Spousal Support in Florida
State-specific overview · Family Law
Florida applies a guideline formula for alimony based on combined parental income and marriage length.
How Florida treats Spousal Support
Florida law establishes four types of alimony: temporary (during divorce), bridge-the-gap (up to two years post-divorce), rehabilitative (to support retraining), and durational (limited by marriage length). The state uses a guideline formula based on the combined income of both spouses, though judges may deviate for good cause. For marriages lasting less than 10 years, durational alimony typically cannot exceed the marriage length; for marriages of 10+ years, alimony may be permanent. Courts must consider 11 statutory factors including standard of living and earning capacity.
The general definition of Spousal Support
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another, typically during or after divorce proceedings.
Spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, is money one spouse pays to the other to help with living expenses during or after a divorce. It recognizes that one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage or may have lower earning potential. Courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, and their age and health when determining if support is appropriate and how much to award. Spousal support can be temporary (lasting only during the divorce process) or permanent (continuing indefinitely or for a set period).
Read the full Spousal Support 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.