Florida Alimony Lawyer in Miami & Orlando

Alimony in Florida changed in 2023. These reforms apply to initial petitions pending or filed on or after July 1, 2023. Florida courts can award temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational support, not permanent alimony. We help you understand what a fair amount looks like, negotiate or litigate it, and update it when life changes. Offices in Miami (Coral Gables) and Orlando.

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Call Segarra & Associates, P.A. at (305) 742-5042

Understanding Alimony in Florida

A gavel, money, and a note stating alimony.

Florida Statutes §61.08 governs alimony. A court may award temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational alimony (alone or in combination) and may order periodic or lump-sum payments. The court may consider adultery only for its economic impact when setting the amount. Before awarding alimony, the court must make specific factual findings on need and ability to pay. The party seeking alimony bears the burden of proving both.

If the court finds need and ability to pay, §61.08(3) requires it to consider these factors when deciding the form and amount of alimony: (a) duration of the marriage; (b) the marital standard of living and anticipated post-judgment needs; (c) each party's age and physical, mental, and emotional condition (including any disability and its impact on need or ability to pay); (d) each party's resources and income (including income from nonmarital and marital assets); (e) earning capacities, education, vocational skills, and employability (including the ability to become self-supporting before the award ends); (f) each party's contributions to the marriage (homemaking, child care, education, and career building); (g) responsibilities for any minor children in common (with special consideration for a child with a disability); and (h) any other factor necessary for equity and justice (which may include a supportive relationship or reasonable retirement under §61.14).

For alimony, there is a rebuttable presumption that a short-term marriage is less than 10 years, a moderate-term marriage is 10–20 years, and a long-term marriage is 20 years or longer. The length runs from the date of marriage to the filing date of the dissolution action.

Given the financial effects of alimony obligations, it is essential to have an attorney well-versed in alimony laws. At Segarra & Associates, P.A., our legal team is experienced in the complexities of Florida alimony statutes and defenses.

Alimony in Miami – Types, Modification & What Judges Consider

Florida no longer uses permanent alimony for new cases. Judges can award temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational support. The law lets judges order periodic or lump-sum payments and consider the economic impact of adultery. We walk you through which types fit your facts and how long they may last.

Temporary (pendente lite) Alimony

Temporary (pendente lite) alimony is support during the case to maintain stability until the final judgment. A judge can award a reasonable amount after a well-founded motion or request, and it can include “suit money” so each side can participate meaningfully in the process. When the final order is entered, temporary alimony typically ends or is replaced by a final award of support.

Bridge-the-gap Alimony

This short-term support covers clear, immediate needs while a spouse moves from married to single life—think deposits for housing, basic setup costs, or transportation needs. It's capped at two years, ends on death or remarriage, and cannot be modified in amount or duration once ordered (§61.08(6)).

Rehabilitative Alimony

This type helps a spouse become self-supporting by redeveloping skills or completing education/training. The court must approve a specific, written rehabilitation plan, and the award can't last more than five years. It can be modified or ended if there's a substantial change in circumstances, if someone doesn't follow the plan, or if the plan finishes early.

Durational Alimony

Durational alimony provides support for a set period and may not be awarded if the marriage lasted under 3 years. The term is capped at 50% of a short-term marriage, 60% of a moderate-term marriage, or 75% of a long-term marriage; any extension requires clear and convincing evidence of exceptional circumstances. The amount of durational alimony is the lesser of the recipient's reasonable need or an amount not to exceed 35% of the difference between the parties' net incomes, with net income calculated in conformity with §61.30(2) and (3), excluding spousal support paid pursuant to a court order in the action between the parties. It terminates upon the death of either party or the recipient's remarriage; the amount may be modified for a substantial change, but the term may be extended only in exceptional circumstances.

Additionally, an award may not leave the payor with significantly less net income than the recipient unless the court makes written findings of exceptional circumstances (§61.08(9)).

Authority: Temporary alimony may be awarded under §61.071, and “suit money” (temporary fees/costs) may be awarded under §61.16.

Judges look at income, earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, each spouse's needs and ability to pay, the length of the marriage, and more. We present clear numbers, budgets, and proof to support your position. When needed, we work with vocational and financial professionals and connect your support case to related issues like Prenuptial Agreements or Postnuptial Agreements.

If you're in Brickell, Coconut Grove, or Coral Gables, we understand the courthouse flow and local expectations. For example, the Family Court Division at Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center posts hours and counter information; arriving prepared helps the day go smoother. We give you a simple checklist before each appearance.

Cost, Process & Timeline for Alimony in Miami

Writing alimony terms in Miami – Segarra & Associates, P.A.

What to expect: We start with a focused strategy session, gather financials, and outline settlement options. Many cases resolve in mediation, where we can craft practical payment terms and timelines. If talks stall, we move to hearings with a tight set of exhibits and a simple story the court can follow. Learn about mediation.

Typical timeline (varies by case):

Intake & documents (1–3 weeks): Pay stubs, bank statements, budgets, and supporting records.
Negotiation/mediation (4–12 weeks): Exchange proposals; target a workable number and length.
Hearing or trial (if needed): Present testimony and exhibits tied to statutory factors under Fla. Stat. §61.08.

Cost drivers: Complexity of finances, business ownership, discovery fights, and whether other issues (like Property Division or Time-sharing/Visitation) are contested. We keep you updated on choices that save time and reduce friction.

After the order: Florida's 2023 reform added clearer rules on modifying support, including retirement-related changes and circumstances that can reduce or terminate support. We help you plan ahead so your order is workable long-term.

Have questions about Property Division or Time-sharing enforcement? We coordinate all enforcement issues in one strategy.

Want to Know More About Attorney's Fees?

Questions about attorney's fees often arise in alimony matters, especially when there is a significant difference in financial resources between the parties or when disputes increase the complexity of a case. Our firm helps clients understand how attorney's fees may be addressed in alimony proceedings, including when a court may consider ordering one party to contribute to the other's legal costs. We provide clear explanations of the factors courts may review and how fee issues are typically raised, so clients can make informed decisions while planning for the financial aspects of their case.

Service Areas

We represent clients across South Florida and Central Florida. Start with the location closest to you:

Miami
Orlando

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Permanent Alimony Still Available in Florida?

No. Permanent alimony is unavailable in initial petitions pending or filed on/after July 1, 2023. Courts may award temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational alimony.

How Is Alimony Calculated in Florida?

Alimony is calculated in Florida by looking at need and ability to pay, plus factors like income, earning capacity, marital lifestyle, and marriage length under §61.08. Judges may allow periodic or lump-sum payments.

Can Adultery Affect Alimony in Florida?

Yes, adultery can affect alimony in Florida, but courts focus on its economic impact, not moral fault, when deciding alimony.

Can My Alimony Be Modified After Retirement?

Yes. The court may reduce or terminate on reasonable, voluntary retirement with specific written findings, and the obligor may file up to 6 months before retiring.

Where Will My Miami Hearing Take Place?

Many family hearings are at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33128. We'll confirm your courtroom and arrival time in advance.

Client-Centered Guidance, Close to Home

A man and a woman seriously discussing the terms of their alimony.

At Segarra & Associates, P.A., you get a calm, step-by-step plan for support questions. Our team is bilingual—fluent in English and Spanish—so you can discuss your case in the language you're most comfortable with. Whether you live near Miracle Mile, commute from Brickell, or meet us in downtown Orlando, we map out the documents, the numbers, and the likely outcomes so you can make smart choices. See our Divorce resources or watch The Divorce Broadcast Channel to learn the basics before we talk.

We've helped families across Miami-Dade and Orange County create fair, workable support arrangements—and update them when life changes. When you're ready, we'll meet you where you are and move your case forward with steady communication and local know-how.

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