The State of Alimony Payments Under Recent Florida Laws – What You Need to Know in Your Miami Divorce Case

Most Miami married couples and residents have likely heard the term “alimony” or “spousal maintenance” in their lifetimes. Whether on a television show depicting the frustration of one spouse having to pay alimony to their ex-spouse in a huff, or in real life witnesses the anguish of a friend or family member being assessed alimony payments, the truth of the matter is that alimony is a very important – and very contentious – part of many Miami divorces. But what exactly is alimony and what is the state of alimony payments in Miami under recent Florida laws? To help Miami couples and individuals better understand the current state of alimony in Miami, we answer those questions here.

Alimony Payments – What Are They Under Florida Marriage and Divorce Laws?

Alimony is defined as, “the financial assistance and monetary support provided by one spouse to another after a marriage ends in divorce. Oftentimes, the receiving spouse must be unable to support themselves without the help of their ex-spouse.” Furthermore, “Depending on the state, support may be based on a series of factors, such as the age of the parties, the length of the marriage, degrees earned (if any) etc. The amount of the alimony can be calculated according to several elements related to the expenses and the conditions of resources of the divorced or separated parents, such as the net monthly income of the spouses, their credit, rent, taxation or specific expenses related to the children (health, education, etc). Payments may be in one lump sum, or in a series of monthly payments.  Duration of alimony is often based on the length of the marriage; in other words, the longer the marriage, the longer the duration of alimony payments.” In sum, Miami divorce courts will look at a number of factors to determine whether one spouse should pay monetary support to the other spouse, after the divorce.

The State of Alimony Payments in Florida

In June, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law limiting alimony payments in the State of Florida. The new laws eliminate “permanent alimony” in favor of determining the length of alimony payments based on factors such as the length of the marriage. The law change has been unpopular with some groups, including the “First Wives Advocacy Group”, a group of mostly older females who allege that the law change will “upend” their lives.

If you are in the Miami area and you need legal assistance with your Miami alimony issue, contact the experienced Miami alimony attorneys at True North Law, P.A. The experienced Miami alimony attorneys at True North Law, P.A. are here to help Miami individuals and couples with their challenging alimony issues under Florida state marriage and divorce laws. Do not hesitate to speak with an experienced Miami alimony attorney about your case today. Contact the experienced Miami alimony attorneys at True North Law, P.A. and speak to a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-gov-desantis-signs-bill-ending-permanent-alimony/