Durational alimony in Florida is an arrangement to provide financial support for a specific period following a divorce. Under state law, numerous factors can affect both eligibility for alimony and how much an individual is entitled to in alimony payments. Dedicated and experienced family law attorneys at The Law Offices of Travis R. Walker, P.A., have the resources to navigate a complex durational alimony proceeding. If you are facing the prospect of divorce in Florida, contact us today.
Going through a divorce is never pleasant, and it’s made worse with the possibility of alimony payments. Whether you are liable for alimony payments to your ex-spouse or need to secure an alimony arrangement to get financial support, the process is often filled with stress, confusion, and dread.
Though the specifics may vary, durational alimony is generally an alimony arrangement that lasts for a specific timeframe.
But with so many different relevant factors and changes in Florida divorce law, durational alimony arrangements are too complicated to face independently. With the seasoned legal professionals at The Law Offices of Travis R. Walker, P.A., you can get the support you need to navigate the complicated world of durational alimony while protecting your finances, rights, and well-being.
Alimony , also known as “spousal support,” is temporary financial support one spouse provides the other during a divorce and for some time after. Either spouse may be eligible for alimony. It is generally intended to support receiving spouses until they can support themselves.
Durational alimony in Florida (Florida Statute 61.08) is an arrangement established to provide financial support for a specific timeframe. The alimony payments are not permanent. However, unlike rehabilitative alimony, the payments are not contingent on a specific rehabilitation plan on the part of the alimony recipient during the agreed-upon timeframe.
The timeframe for durational alimony payments is less than the length of the marriage itself and is much shorter for marriages of less than 20 years.
Durational alimony may be influenced by factors other than the length of the marriage. For example, if a couple divorces with children under 18, one party may request a durational alimony arrangement for the time the children will still be dependent.
In July 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1416 into law . This measure made several important changes to Florida’s divorce and alimony law. The measure eliminated permanent alimony and also made several changes to the durational alimony eligibility criteria.
Under this new Florida law, the divorcing couple must have been married for at least three years for a spouse to be eligible for durational alimony payments. A party’s means of financial support, net income, and employability may also affect the specific durational alimony payments they receive. If the spouse who wants to receive alimony committed adultery during the marriage, that might factor into limiting their eligibility for durational alimony under this new law.