Alimony in Florida changed dramatically in 2023 when Governor DeSantis signed sweeping reforms into law — eliminating permanent alimony, restructuring all support categories, and shifting the legal framework in ways that affect both spouses in virtually every Tampa divorce case. Whether you are seeking alimony or defending against it, understanding the current law is essential. Attorney Mindi Lasley has handled alimony cases throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County under both the old and new statutes, and she knows exactly how these changes play out in court.
Florida Alimony Law After the 2023 Reform
The 2023 alimony reform (HB 1409) brought major changes to Florida Statute 61.08. The most significant: permanent alimony no longer exists for divorces filed after July 1, 2023. Other key changes include:
- No more permanent alimony — Even long marriages can no longer result in lifelong support obligations under new filings
- Durational alimony caps — Support duration is now tied to marriage length with defined maximums
- New rebuttable presumptions — The law now creates presumptions against alimony in short marriages and presumptions for limited support in medium-length marriages
- Retirement as grounds for modification — A paying spouse who reaches full Social Security retirement age can seek termination or reduction
Types of Alimony Available in Florida
| Type | Purpose | Typical Duration |
|—|—|—|
| Bridge-the-Gap | Helps recipient transition from married to single life | Maximum 2 years |
| Rehabilitative | Supports recipient while gaining skills or education to become self-supporting | Based on specific plan |
| Durational | Fixed-term support when permanent alimony is not appropriate | Cannot exceed marriage length |
| Temporary (Pendente Lite) | Support during the divorce proceedings only | Until final judgment |
How Courts Determine Alimony in Hillsborough County
Before awarding any form of alimony, the Hillsborough County family court must first find that one spouse has a financial need and the other has the ability to pay. Once that threshold is met, the court analyzes multiple factors under Florida Statute 61.08:
- Length of the marriage (short = under 7 years, moderate = 7–17 years, long = 17+ years)
- Each spouse’s income, earning capacity, and vocational skills
- Standard of living established during the marriage
- Each spouse’s contributions — financial and non-financial, including homemaking and career sacrifice
- Age and physical and emotional condition of each spouse
- All sources of income, including investment and passive income
- Tax treatment of alimony payments (alimony is no longer deductible under federal tax law)
Alimony Modification and Termination
An existing alimony order does not have to last forever. Florida law allows modification or termination when there is a substantial change in circumstances, including:
- A significant increase or decrease in either party’s income
- The recipient spouse entering into a supportive relationship (Florida’s cohabitation-based modification rule)
- The paying spouse reaching full Social Security retirement age
- Death of either party (alimony terminates automatically)
- Remarriage of the recipient (durational alimony terminates upon remarriage)
Mindi Lasley, P.A. handles both seeking and opposing alimony modifications throughout Hillsborough County. If circumstances have changed since your original order, we can analyze whether modification is warranted and build the case to support it.
Alimony in High-Asset Tampa Divorces
In high-asset divorces, alimony intersects with complex financial structures. When one spouse earns substantially more through business income, investments, or variable compensation, accurately establishing that spouse’s true income is the foundation of every support argument. We work with forensic accountants and financial experts to document real income figures — and to challenge inflated or deflated numbers presented by the other side.
For Tampa executives, business owners, and professionals, alimony exposure can be substantial. Early legal strategy matters enormously. The decisions made in the first weeks of a divorce case shape what is possible at the negotiating table and in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|—|—|
| Is Florida alimony taxable? | Under current federal law, alimony payments are not deductible by the payer or taxable to the recipient for divorces finalized after 2018. |
| Can I waive alimony in a prenuptial agreement? | Yes. Properly drafted prenuptial agreements can limit or waive alimony rights in Florida. |
| Does adultery affect alimony in Florida? | Potentially. Adultery can be considered by the court, particularly if marital funds were spent on the affair. |
| What is a supportive relationship and how does it affect alimony? | If the recipient cohabits with someone in a relationship with financial elements, Florida allows the payer to seek modification or termination. |
| How long does alimony last after a 10-year marriage? | Under the new law, durational alimony cannot exceed the length of the marriage. After a 10-year marriage, support duration cannot exceed 10 years. |
| Can I get alimony as a stay-at-home parent? | Yes. Career sacrifice and non-financial contributions are explicitly considered under Florida’s alimony statute. |
Local Resources for Alimony in Hillsborough County
| Resource | Description |
|—|—|
| Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court | Hillsborough County family court — local rules and case resources |
| Florida Statute 61.08 | The alimony statute — current text including 2023 reforms |
| Florida Bar — Divorce in Florida | Consumer overview of Florida divorce and support law |
| Hillsborough County Clerk of Court | File alimony modification petitions and access records |
Navigate Florida’s New Alimony Law With the Right Attorney
The 2023 reforms changed everything about how alimony is argued and decided in Florida courts. Whether you are pursuing support or protecting your income, you need a Tampa attorney who understands the new law and knows how to apply it. Mindi Lasley, P.A. is ready to build your case under Florida’s current alimony statute. Call us at 813-873-9047 or reach us at our contact page for a consultation.
About Mindi Lasley, P.A.: Mindi Lasley, P.A. is a Tampa-based family law firm exclusively handling divorce and family law matters in Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay area. The firm has deep experience with Florida alimony law, including the 2023 reforms, and represents both spouses seeking and defending against support obligations at every stage of the process.