Permanent Alimony Changes in Florida Divorces

Written By: Lenorae C. Atter, Attorney
Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A.

Florida divorce laws regarding alimony have changed in the last two years. Alimony, as late as 2009, basically held that there were short-term, the gray area and long-term marriages for purposes of determining the amount of alimony and how long it would be paid. In 2010, the Florida legislature provided a new standard for determining what these terms of art actually mean. For instance, Florida Statute 61.08(4) defines marriages as short-term (0-7 years, moderate-term (7-17 years) and long-term (over 17 years).

Florida alimony now has even more restrictions that will take effect on July 1, 2011 and will apply to all pending Florida divorce cases and any new modifications of old orders regarding alimony. The changes basically make it harder to secure permanent alimony by placing more restrictions and hurdles regarding proof on the party requesting permanent alimony.

While Florida seems interested in changing alimony requirements and availability, hopefully the legislature will at some point give guideline calculations for alimony to make the process easier to understand by both parties.

If you are going through a divorce in Florida, you should speak with a divorce lawyer to better understand your rights and options.