Alimony · Florida · Caps or time limits
Alimony in Florida
Florida courts first decide whether one spouse needs alimony and the other can pay, then choose among temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative and durational alimony using listed factors. The statute caps the length of each type and the amount of durational alimony; permanent alimony is no longer one of the listed forms.[1]
Key facts: alimony in Florida
| How the law sets it | Caps or time limits[1] |
|---|---|
| Key rule | Durational: up to 50% / 60% / 75% of the marriage’s length[1] |
| Law last checked | October 26, 2026 |
The key limit
Durational: up to 50% / 60% / 75% of the marriage’s length[1]
Florida law sets limits but no formula for the amount, so there's nothing to calculate: the court decides within them.
From the official text
What Florida law says about alimony
Plain-English summaries of Florida’s statute and court rules as of the date shown on each, with the quoted text. Not legal advice: laws change and courts apply them case by case.
The statute
Fla. Stat. § 61.08
The main alimony statute: the court weighs 8 listed factors.[1]
Fla. Stat. § 61.08 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, the court may grant alimony to either party in the form or forms of temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or durational alimony, as is equitable.”
How long it lasts
Durational: up to 50% / 60% / 75% of the marriage’s length
Durational alimony may not last longer than 50% of a short-term (under 10 years), 60% of a moderate-term (10 to 20 years) or 75% of a long-term (20+ years) marriage, unless exceptional circumstances are shown by clear and convincing evidence.[1]
Fla. Stat. § 61.08 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“An award of durational alimony may not exceed 50 percent of the length of a short-term marriage, 60 percent of the length of a moderate-term marriage, or 75 percent of the length of a long-term marriage.”
Amount cap
Durational: lesser of reasonable need or 35% of the net-income difference
The amount of durational alimony is the recipient’s reasonable need or no more than 35% of the difference between the spouses’ net incomes, whichever is less.[1]
Fla. Stat. § 61.08 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The amount of durational alimony is the amount determined to be the obligee's reasonable need, or an amount not to exceed 35 percent of the difference between the parties' net incomes, whichever amount is less.”
How long it lasts
Marriage length: short under 10 yrs, moderate 10–20, long 20+
For alimony, a marriage is presumed short-term if under 10 years, moderate-term from 10 to 20 years and long-term at 20 years or more, measured from the wedding to the filing of the divorce.[1]
Fla. Stat. § 61.08 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“there is a rebuttable presumption that a short-term marriage is a marriage having a duration of less than 10 years, a moderate-term marriage is a marriage having a duration between 10 and 20 years, and a long-term marriage is a marriage having a duration of 20 years or longer.”
How long it lasts
Bridge-the-gap: up to 2 years; rehabilitative: up to 5 years
Bridge-the-gap alimony may last no more than 2 years and rehabilitative alimony (which requires a defined rehabilitative plan) no more than 5 years.[1]
Fla. Stat. § 61.08 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The length of an award of bridge-the-gap alimony may not exceed 2 years.”
When it applies
No durational alimony after a marriage under 3 years
Durational alimony may not be awarded after a marriage lasting less than 3 years.[1]
Fla. Stat. § 61.08 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“Durational alimony may not be awarded following a marriage lasting less than 3 years.”
Amount cap
Payor not left with significantly less net income
An award may not leave the payor with significantly less net income than the recipient unless the court makes written findings of exceptional circumstances.[1]
Fla. Stat. § 61.08 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The award of alimony may not leave the payor with significantly less net income than the net income of the recipient unless there are written findings of exceptional circumstances.”
Divorce in Florida: waiting period, residency and property rules →
Questions about alimony in Florida
Is there an alimony calculator for Florida?
No. Florida law doesn't set alimony by formula: florida courts first decide whether one spouse needs alimony and the other can pay, then choose among temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative and durational alimony using listed factors. The statute caps the length of each type and the amount of durational alimony; permanent alimony is no longer one of the listed forms. — Fla. Stat. § 61.08[1]
How long does alimony last in Florida?
Durational alimony may not last longer than 50% of a short-term (under 10 years), 60% of a moderate-term (10 to 20 years) or 75% of a long-term (20+ years) marriage, unless exceptional circumstances are shown by clear and convincing evidence. — Fla. Stat. § 61.08[1]
Is there a limit on alimony in Florida?
The amount of durational alimony is the recipient’s reasonable need or no more than 35% of the difference between the spouses’ net incomes, whichever is less. — Fla. Stat. § 61.08[1]
States with an alimony formula
Not legal advice. MediationList is a directory of court-listed mediators, not a law firm, and doesn’t endorse any mediator. Summaries follow the official text as of the date checked; courts apply it case by case.
Sources
Florida’s statute and court rules, read on the official site, with the date we checked each.