Alimony & Spousal Support Under Florida Law
Alimony, or spousal support, is one of the most contested issues in Florida divorce cases. Following the significant 2023 alimony reform under Senate Bill 1416, Florida law has changed the alimony landscape substantially - eliminating permanent alimony and establishing clearer durational limits tied to the length of the marriage. Understanding these recent changes is essential for anyone seeking or defending against an alimony claim.
Florida's Current Alimony Framework
Under Fla. Stat. §61.08, as amended by the 2023 reform, Florida now recognizes four types of alimony: temporary (during the pending divorce), bridge-the-gap (limited to two years, for transitional needs), rehabilitative (to support a spouse obtaining education or training), and durational (for a set period not exceeding a percentage of the marriage length). Permanent alimony has been eliminated for all new filings.
The duration of the marriage significantly affects alimony eligibility: a short-term marriage is less than 10 years, a moderate-term marriage is 10-20 years, and a long-term marriage exceeds 20 years. For durational alimony, the award cannot exceed 50% of the marriage length for short-term marriages, 60% for moderate-term, and 75% for long-term marriages.
Courts consider multiple factors when determining alimony, including each spouse's earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, the duration of the marriage, each party's age and health, the contribution of each spouse to the marriage (including homemaking), and the responsibilities each party will have for minor children. Importantly, the 2023 reform introduced a rebuttable presumption against alimony for short-term marriages.
Alimony & Spousal Support Cases in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach alimony cases are filed at the Palm Beach County Family Division courthouse, which is located right here in the city at 205 N. Dixie Hwy, which is right in the city. The local economy's diversity means alimony cases here range from cases involving government employees with stable, documented incomes to more complex matters involving professionals and business owners whose earning capacity requires detailed analysis. Marc Cohen's experience with West Palm Beach's particular judicial approaches to alimony helps clients set realistic expectations and build effective cases.
Why Choose Marc M. Cohen, P.A.? Marc Cohen's combined J.D. and MBA in Quantitative Analysis make him exceptionally qualified to handle alimony cases, which fundamentally require the ability to analyze and present complex financial evidence. Whether you are seeking fair support or defending against an excessive claim, Marc's ability to model income projections, analyze earning capacity, and quantify the marital standard of living provides a crucial advantage. With over 25 years of practice in South Florida family courts, Marc has handled alimony matters across every income bracket and marriage duration.
Contact a West Palm Beach Alimony Attorney
If you need experienced legal representation for alimony & spousal support matters in West Palm Beach, contact Marc M. Cohen, P.A. for a free consultation. Call (561) 740-3301 or contact us online to discuss your case. We serve clients throughout West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, and all of South Florida.