By Anna Fernandez, Esq., Legal Lotus, P.A. · Last reviewed July 2026 against Fla. Stat. §61.08 (2025).
Short answer: Florida has four kinds of alimony: temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational. Permanent alimony ended July 1, 2023. A court awards alimony only if one spouse shows a real need and the other has the ability to pay (Fla. Stat. §61.08).
Use the free estimator below to see what durational alimony might look like in your case, then read on for how it works. Want more depth? See our blog article or our Alimony practice page.
Estimate your alimony
Enter the length of the marriage and both spouses’ net monthly income. You’ll get the ceiling on the amount and how long support could last. It’s an estimate, not legal advice.
A plain-language estimate based on Florida’s current alimony law (Fla. Stat. §61.08). This is an educational estimate, not legal advice.
Measured from the wedding date to the date the divorce petition is filed (§61.08(5)). Decimals are fine, e.g. 12.5.
Take-home after taxes, health insurance, and mandatory retirement (§61.30).
Same basis: monthly take-home pay.
No attorney-client relationship. Using this tool, or contacting Legal Lotus through it, does not create an attorney-client relationship. The information provided is not legal advice, is not a solicitation, and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified Florida attorney. You should not act on it without first consulting counsel about your specific situation.
Source: Fla. Stat. §61.08 (2025). Prepared by Legal Lotus, P.A.
The four types of alimony
| Type | What it’s for | How long it can last |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary | Support while the divorce is going on | Ends when the divorce is final |
| Bridge-the-gap | Short-term help moving from married to single life | Up to 2 years, can’t be changed |
| Rehabilitative | Support while a spouse builds skills or credentials to become self-supporting | Up to 5 years, needs a written plan |
| Durational | Ongoing support for a set period | 50/60/75% of the marriage; none under 3 years |
How is alimony calculated in Florida?
There’s no fixed formula. A judge first decides whether one spouse needs support and the other can pay (§61.08(2)). Marriage length sets the bracket, measured from the wedding to the date the petition is filed: under 10 years is short-term, 10 to 20 moderate, 20 or more long-term (§61.08(5)). For durational alimony the amount can’t exceed the lower of the recipient’s reasonable need or 35% of the difference in the spouses’ net monthly incomes (§61.08(8)(c)), and it can’t leave the payor with significantly less net income than the recipient (§61.08(9)). Example: nets of $8,000 and $4,000 leave a $4,000 gap, so the ceiling is $1,400 a month, but the court awards the lower of that or proven need.
How long does it last?
- Short-term (under 10 years): up to 50% of the marriage length.
- Moderate-term (10 to 20 years): up to 60%.
- Long-term (20 years or more): up to 75%.
Durational alimony isn’t available for marriages under 3 years, and a judge can go past these caps only in exceptional circumstances with clear and convincing evidence (§61.08(8)).
What changed in 2023?
- Permanent alimony is gone. The four remaining types are temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational.
- Hard caps on duration and amount (the 50/60/75% and 35% rules above).
- Retirement and supportive relationships can be grounds to reduce or end alimony (§61.14).
Can it be changed later?
- A substantial change in circumstances can modify most alimony, like a big involuntary income drop or the recipient becoming self-supporting (§61.14).
- Bridge-the-gap can’t be changed once set (§61.08(6)).
- Remarriage, death, or the payor’s reasonable retirement can end or reduce it (§61.08, §61.14).
Frequently asked questions
How is alimony calculated in Florida?
There’s no automatic formula. A judge first decides whether one spouse has a genuine need and the other has the ability to pay, then picks the type of alimony and sets the amount. For durational alimony, the amount can’t exceed the lower of the recipient’s reasonable need or 35% of the difference in the spouses’ net incomes (Fla. Stat. §61.08(8)(c)).
What’s the most a court can order?
For durational alimony, the ceiling is 35% of the difference between the spouses’ net monthly incomes, or the recipient’s reasonable need, whichever is lower, and it can’t leave the paying spouse with significantly less net income than the recipient absent written findings of exceptional circumstances (Fla. Stat. §61.08(8)(c), (9)).
How long does alimony last in Florida?
Durational alimony is capped at 50% of the marriage for short-term marriages (under 10 years), 60% for moderate-term (10 to 20 years), and 75% for long-term (20 years or more). Bridge-the-gap tops out at 2 years and rehabilitative at 5 years (Fla. Stat. §61.08(6)-(8)).
Did Florida really get rid of permanent alimony?
Yes. As of July 1, 2023, Florida courts can no longer award permanent alimony. The four available types are temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational (Fla. Stat. §61.08).
How is the length of the marriage measured?
From the date of the marriage to the date the divorce petition is filed. That number decides whether the marriage is short-term, moderate-term, or long-term, which sets the durational alimony cap (Fla. Stat. §61.08(5)).
Talk to us
These numbers are a starting point, not a prediction of what a judge will do in your case. If you want to understand where you stand, we’re here to help.
This page is legal information, not legal advice, and doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. Please talk to a qualified Florida family law attorney about your situation.