Governor DeSantis Signs Landmark Alimony Reform Bill Eliminating Permanent Alimony | Lowndes

Publish date: 2024-06-13

On June 30, 2023, Governor DeSantis signed landmark legislation significantly impacting Florida’s alimony law. The new law will be effective July 1, 2023, and applies to all initial petitions for dissolution of marriage that are filed or pending as of July 1, 2023. 

Some major key points of the new law include:

  • Elimination of permanent alimony. Florida no longer recognizes permanent alimony and will recognize four types of alimony: (1) temporary; (2) bridge-the-gap; (3) rehabilitative not to exceed 5 years; and (4) durational.
  • Revamps durational alimony as follows:
  • It may not be awarded to marriages less than 3 years in length;
  • The length of durational alimony is not to exceed 50% of short-term marriages (<10 years); 60% of moderate-term marriages (10-20 years); and 75% of long-term marriages (20+ years); and
  • The amount of durational alimony is to be determined by reasonable needs not to exceed 35% of the difference between the net incomes of the parties, whichever is less.
  • Courts can consider the impact of adultery in determining the amount of alimony whether or not it has a financial impact.
  • Requires the showing of a special circumstance to secure alimony with life insurance.

    • Be on the look-out for more detailed information from us in the upcoming weeks on the impacts of this law. 

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