Florida alimony Calculator

Temporary alimony may be awarded while the divorce is pending to maintain financial stability during litigation. Final alimony awards are governed by Florida Statutes § 61.08 and require findings regarding both need and ability to pay before any award can be entered. In Florida, alimony is designed to address financial disparity between spouses after divorce. A spouse seeking alimony must demonstrate a genuine financial need, while the other spouse must have the ability to contribute support. Courts examine income, assets, liabilities, earning capacity, and the marital standard of living. Qualification depends on the total circumstances rather than marriage length alone.

Florida no longer awards permanent alimony for initial petitions governed by the current statute. Courts may award temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational alimony only after making specific factual findings that the requesting spouse has actual need and the other spouse has ability to pay. Durational alimony is capped at reasonable need or 35% of the parties' net-income difference, whichever is less. The calculator uses net income for this planning estimate. Planning approach: Statutory durational-alimony estimate: the lesser of the recipient's reasonable need or 35% of the difference between the parties' net incomes, adjusted conservatively for marriage length and ability to pay. Florida's current statute caps durational alimony at the recipient's reasonable need or 35% of the parties' net-income difference, whichever is less. This is a cap and framework for durational alimony, not a guaranteed award. The court must first find actual need and ability to pay, then consider statutory factors including marriage duration, standard of living, age, health, income, resources, earning capacity, employability, contributions, child-related responsibilities, and equity. Bridge-the-gap and rehabilitative alimony have separate rules and duration limits.

Because Florida uses equitable distribution rules, property division under Florida Statutes § 61.08 (2026) may reduce ongoing alimony need. Permanent alimony has been eliminated under modern Florida law.

Marriage duration shapes both amount and length of support in Florida. Moderate-length marriages may support rehabilitative or durational alimony when one spouse requires time to increase earning capacity. Courts evaluate both current and future financial circumstances. Duration guidelines: Florida classifies marriages as short-term if less than 10 years, moderate-term if 10 to less than 20 years, and long-term if 20 years or more. Bridge-the-gap alimony may not exceed 2 years. Rehabilitative alimony may not exceed 5 years and requires a specific rehabilitative plan. Durational alimony may not be awarded after a marriage lasting less than 3 years. Durational alimony may not exceed 50% of a short-term marriage, 60% of a moderate-term marriage, or 75% of a long-term marriage, except under exceptional circumstances proven by clear and convincing evidence.

Florida law no longer authorizes permanent alimony awards. Bridge-the-gap alimony is intended to address identifiable short-term transition needs.

Most Florida divorces settle before trial. Use this estimate to prepare for mediation and compare proposed settlement amounts against FL statutory factors.

How long alimony lasts in Florida: Florida classifies marriages as short-term if less than 10 years, moderate-term if 10 to less than 20 years, and long-term if 20 years or more. Bridge-the-gap alimony may not exceed 2 years. Rehabilitative alimony may not exceed 5 years and requires a specific rehabilitative plan. Durational alimony may not be awarded after a marriage lasting less than 3 years. Durational alimony may not exceed 50% of a short-term marriage, 60% of a moderate-term marriage, or 75% of a long-term marriage, except under exceptional circumstances proven by clear and convincing evidence.

Short-term marriages: Short-term marriages often result in limited or transitional support when justified by demonstrated need. Courts frequently focus on helping a spouse adjust financially after divorce. Typical range: 0-10 years.

Mid-length marriages: Moderate-length marriages may support rehabilitative or durational alimony when one spouse requires time to increase earning capacity. Courts evaluate both current and future financial circumstances. Typical range: 10-20 years.

Long-term marriages: Long-term marriages may justify longer durational awards, but Florida no longer authorizes permanent alimony. Duration remains subject to statutory limitations and judicial review. Typical range: 20 years or more.

Termination in Florida: Alimony generally terminates upon the death of either party unless otherwise provided by law or agreement. Certain awards also terminate upon the recipient's remarriage and may be affected by supportive relationships recognized by statute.

Florida judges apply Florida Statutes § 61.08 (2026) and weigh multiple factors when setting alimony. Florida awards alimony based on the receiving spouse's need and the paying spouse's ability to pay. Following major statutory reforms, Florida eliminated permanent alimony and now relies primarily on bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational forms of support. Courts must evaluate statutory factors before determining amount and duration.

Income and earning capacity: Florida courts evaluate the standard of living established during the marriage. The calculator reflects income disparity through this planning approach: Statutory durational-alimony estimate: the lesser of the recipient's reasonable need or 35% of the difference between the parties' net incomes, adjusted conservatively for marriage length and ability to pay.

Marriage duration: Moderate-length marriages may support rehabilitative or durational alimony when one spouse requires time to increase earning capacity. Courts evaluate both current and future financial circumstances.

Standard of living and health: Florida courts consider the duration of the marriage and resulting economic expectations. Florida courts review each spouse's financial resources following equitable distribution.

Property and regional factors: Permanent alimony has been eliminated under modern Florida law. Bridge-the-gap alimony is a uniquely Florida transitional support category. Supportive relationship statutes may justify modification or termination. Durational alimony serves as the primary long-term support mechanism.

Modification standard: Most alimony awards may be modified upon a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances.