Miami Alimony Attorneys

What Is Alimony?

Alimony or spousal support is a court-ordered financial arrangement where one spouse provides financial assistance to the other during or after a divorce. Following sweeping legislative changes in 2023 that abolished permanent alimony across the state, courts now focus on structured, time-limited support designed to meet specific needs as parties transition into independent households.

The duration and amount awarded depend on the length of your marriage, the standard of living established while married, and each spouse’s individual economic circumstances. Navigating these high-stakes determinations requires a precise and highly strategic approach from our knowledgeable attorneys, especially while navigating stressful divorce proceedings.

If you are looking for a less contentious path to determining alimony, our Certified Marital and Family Law Mediator is a neutral third party who can help you find a solution outside of court.

Types of Alimony in Florida

Temporary Alimony

Temporary alimony is awarded during the divorce process to help one spouse maintain stability while the case is pending. It typically terminates when the final judgment is entered.

Bridge-the-Gap Alimony

Bridge-the-gap alimony is awarded to assist with short-term needs during the transition from marriage to single life, such as relocating or securing housing. It cannot be modified and lasts a maximum of two years. 

Rehabilitative Alimony

Rehabilitative alimony is intended to help a spouse obtain education, training, or work experience to develop self-support. It requires a formalized plan in writing and lasts no more than five years. 

Durational Alimony

Durational alimony provides ongoing support for a specified period. The amount is capped at the recipient’s reasonable need or 35% of the difference between the parties’ net incomes (whichever is less). 

Is Alimony Automatic in a Divorce?

No. Alimony is never automatically granted in a divorce. Instead, a judge must determine if one spouse has a genuine need for support and whether the other spouse has the actual capacity to pay.

Even if there is a glaring disparity in income, the court will not mandate support without a rigorous evaluation of the duration of the marriage, the standard of living during the union, the physical and emotional condition of each party, and the resources available after the equitable distribution of marital assets.

Because this assessment is highly discretionary, the outcome largely depends on the quality of the financial evidence presented. We take the guesswork out of this subjective process by meticulously auditing household expenses, debt obligations, and post-divorce economic projections to build a compelling narrative. 

How Do Courts Determine the Amount of Alimony? 

Courts consider various factors when determining the type and amount of alimony, including:

• Need and ability to pay. Before setting a dollar amount, the judge must first determine if a valid deficit exists between the spouses and whether one spouse has the available net income to cover it.
• Marriage duration. The length of the marriage impacts how long you will pay or receive support. Short-term marriages last 10 years or less, moderate-term marriages last 10–20 years, and long-term marriages last 20 years or more.
• Statutory factors. Some additional influencing factors include the lifestyle established during the marriage, the age and health of both parties, and each spouse’s contributions to the marriage. 

Whether we’re collaborating with vocational experts to prove a dependent spouse’s earning capacity or presenting detailed lifestyle analyses to the court, we focus on building evidence-based strategies to protect your fiscal security and negotiate a sustainable resolution.