Florida durational alimony limits
How Florida limits durational alimony.
Before awarding alimony, a Florida court must make factual findings about the receiving spouse's actual need and the other spouse's ability to pay. For durational alimony, the monthly amount is limited to the receiving spouse's reasonable need or 35% of the difference between the spouses' net incomes, whichever is less. [1]
Lower of reasonable need or 35% of the net-income difference.
This calculator treats the reasonable-need amount as an input supplied by you. It is not a court finding.
Florida also limits ordinary duration by marriage length. Durational alimony may not be awarded after a marriage lasting less than three years. For a short-term marriage, the ordinary maximum is 50% of the marriage length; for a moderate-term marriage, 60%; and for a long-term marriage, 75%. Florida defines short-term as under 10 years, moderate-term as 10 to under 20 years, and long-term as 20 years or more. Exceptional-circumstances extensions are not modeled by this calculator. [1]
Questions about the Florida alimony calculation.
Does Florida use 35% of the income difference as the alimony payment?
Not automatically. For durational alimony, 35% of the net-income difference is an amount ceiling. The court must also determine reasonable need and ability to pay, and the actual award can be lower. [1]
Can Florida award durational alimony after a marriage under three years?
No under the current durational-alimony length rule. Section 61.08 states that durational alimony may not be awarded following a marriage lasting less than three years. That rule does not by itself answer whether another form of alimony could apply. [1]
Does this calculator cover every type of Florida alimony?
No. Florida law currently recognizes temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony. This calculator covers the statutory amount and ordinary duration limits for durational alimony only. [1]
Florida alimony sources and calculator limits
- 01Florida Legislature: Florida Statutes §61.08, alimony
- 02Florida Legislature: Florida Statutes §61.30(2)–(3), income calculations referenced by §61.08
Public-source check: September 6, 2026. Current calculator rules release: 0.18.0. Source checking and automated testing are not attorney review or a guarantee of legal correctness.