How Do Calculations Differ From Regular Alimony?
People hear alimony talked about as if it were one thing. In Florida, the details decide outcomes. Here is how durational alimony stacks up against the other forms.
Duration and Purpose
- Durational: Longest post judgment support in Florida now, fixed term based on marriage length, designed to provide stability for a defined window
- Rehabilitative: Shorter term, tied to a plan to become self supporting
- Bridge the gap: Very short, covers identifiable transition needs
- Temporary: Only during the case, ends at final judgment
What is durational alimony?
- Durational: Statutory maximum equals 35 percent of the difference between net incomes, actual award can be lower based on need and ability to pay
- Others: No 35 percent ceiling, but still driven by need and ability to pay, with the court weighing specific factors and the credibility of plans or needs
Modifiability
- Durational can be modified in amount and, under limited circumstances, in length
- Rehabilitative can end if the plan is completed early or if the plan is not followed
- Bridge the gap amount can be modified in limited situations, length cannot
Strategic Takeaways
- In marriages longer than three years, durational is usually the center of gravity
- Strong rehabilitation plans can reduce durational exposure
- Clean budgets and realistic cash flow analysis drive better results at mediation
Durational alimony is the new baseline for long term support in Florida, with clearer limits and more predictable negotiations. Use the statute’s ceilings to anchor your expectations and your strategy.
Sean Smallwood is an Orlando divorce attorney for the law firm Sean Smallwood, Orlando Divorce & Family Law P.A. where he represents clients in all areas of family law and divorce. 100% of the practice is devoted to family law. As an attorney in Orlando, he has helped many families with a wide variety of family law cases including Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, and many other issues.