If you are divorcing in Florida today, the rules on spousal support look very different than they did a few years ago. The Florida alimony reform 2026 landscape is the product of a major statutory overhaul that took effect in 2023 and continues to shape how judges award support. Below, the bilingual family-law team at Brunelli Law, P.A. breaks down the current framework in plain English so you know what to expect.

What Changed and When

In July 2023, Florida enacted a significant rewrite of its alimony statute, Section 61.08 of the Florida Statutes. The headline change: Florida eliminated permanent alimony for new cases. Going into 2026, that remains the law. Courts can no longer order open-ended, lifetime support in new divorce judgments. Instead, alimony is now built around defined types with defined limits.

The reform also clarified the factors judges weigh, addressed how supportive relationships and a paying spouse’s retirement can affect support, and set clearer caps tied to the length of the marriage. These changes apply going forward; they did not automatically reopen alimony that was already finalized under the old law.

The Types of Alimony in Florida Today

Under the current statute, a Florida court may award one or more of the following forms of support. A judge first determines whether a spouse has an actual need for support and whether the other spouse has the ability to pay — both must be present before any award is made.

Bridge-the-Gap Alimony

This is short-term support designed to help a spouse transition from married to single life by covering identifiable, short-term needs. By statute, bridge-the-gap alimony cannot exceed two years, and it cannot be modified once ordered.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Rehabilitative alimony helps a spouse become self-supporting — for example, by completing education, training, or re-establishing skills and credentials. It requires a specific, written rehabilitative plan. Under current law, rehabilitative alimony generally may not exceed five years.

Durational Alimony

Durational alimony provides support for a set period following a marriage of any length where permanent-style support is not appropriate. This is now the workhorse of Florida alimony. The award lasts for a defined number of years and ends when that term expires.

How the Length of the Marriage Affects an Award

Marriage length is central under the reformed statute. Florida defines marriages by duration — generally short-term (less than 10 years), moderate-term (10 to 20 years), and long-term (20 years or more). These categories influence both eligibility for certain types of alimony and how long durational alimony can last.

For durational alimony, the statute ties the maximum length of support to the length of the marriage. As a general framework under current law:

• Generally, no durational alimony is awarded after a short-term marriage of less than three years.
• For a short-term marriage, durational alimony generally may not exceed 50% of the length of the marriage.
• For a moderate-term marriage, it generally may not exceed 60% of the length of the marriage.
• For a long-term marriage, it generally may not exceed 75% of the length of the marriage.

The statute also caps the amount of durational alimony at the recipient’s reasonable need or a percentage of the difference between the spouses’ net incomes, whichever is less. Courts retain discretion to depart from these limits in exceptional circumstances when they make written findings.

What the Court Considers

Once need and ability to pay are established, the judge weighs a list of statutory factors, including:

• The standard of living established during the marriage;
• The duration of the marriage;
• Each spouse’s age and physical, mental, and emotional condition;
• The financial resources and earning capacity of each spouse;
• The contributions of each spouse to the marriage, including homemaking and child care;
• The responsibilities each will have for any minor children; and
• Any other factor necessary for a fair result.

What This Means If You Are Divorcing Now

For people filing in 2026, the practical takeaways are: permanent alimony is off the table for new cases; durational alimony with statutory caps is the most common outcome in longer marriages; and short marriages may yield little or no support. Because awards now hinge heavily on documented need, ability to pay, and the precise length of the marriage, accurate financial disclosure and careful planning matter more than ever.

It is also worth remembering that family law evolves. Statutes are amended and courts interpret them in new ways. The summary above is current general information as of 2026, not a substitute for advice about your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida still have permanent alimony?

No. For divorces filed after the 2023 reform, Florida courts cannot award permanent alimony. The available types are bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony.

Did the reform change alimony I was already awarded?

The reform generally applies to new and pending cases going forward and did not automatically rewrite final judgments entered under prior law. Whether an existing order can be modified depends on its terms and your circumstances, so it is best to have an attorney review your judgment.

How long can durational alimony last?

It depends on the length of your marriage. Current law generally caps durational alimony at 50% of a short-term marriage, 60% of a moderate-term marriage, and 75% of a long-term marriage, with limited exceptions.

Talk With a Florida Family-Law Attorney

Brunelli Law, P.A. helps clients across Brevard County and the Treasure Coast understand how Florida’s alimony rules apply to their lives — in English and Portuguese. To discuss your situation, call 321-350-0013 or visit our Melbourne family-law page to get started.

This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.