Florida Alimony • Spousal Support • Financial Litigation

St. Augustine Alimony Attorneys

Strategic Representation for Florida Spousal-Support Claims

Alimony can materially affect the financial future of both spouses after divorce. Whether you are seeking support or defending against an alimony claim, the outcome can depend on careful analysis of income, expenses, earning capacity, assets, marriage duration and the financial evidence presented to the court.

St. Johns Law Group represents clients in alimony negotiations, financial discovery, mediation, contested hearings, divorce litigation and post-judgment matters throughout St. Augustine and Northeast Florida.

✓ Need and ability-to-pay analysis
✓ Income, business and financial discovery
✓ Negotiation, mediation and courtroom advocacy
Request a Consultation Call (904) 495-0400 Email Us
St. Johns Law Group St. Augustine Area’s Largest Law Firm
Legal Team 14 Attorneys Full-Service Legal Team
Experience 300+ Years Combined Legal Experience
Courtroom 100+ Jury Trials Trial Experience Across the Team
Transactions 1,000s of Closings Real Estate Transactions
Financial Analysis Income • Expenses • Need • Ability to Pay
Discovery Records • Subpoenas • Depositions
Negotiation & Trial Settlement backed by courtroom preparation
Full-Service Firm Family • Business • Tax • Litigation
Florida Spousal Support

What Is Alimony in Florida?

Alimony is financial support that a Florida court may award to one spouse in connection with a dissolution of marriage.

An alimony award is not automatic. The court first determines whether the spouse requesting support has an actual need and whether the other spouse has the ability to pay.

If those threshold requirements are established, the court then evaluates the form, amount and duration of support under Florida law and the evidence presented in the case.

The Threshold Question

Need + Ability to Pay

An alimony analysis should address both sides of the equation. A spouse requesting support must establish need, while the court must also consider whether the other spouse has the ability to pay the requested support.

Florida Statute §61.08 →
Current Florida Law

Types of Alimony Available in Florida

Florida's current alimony statute provides for temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative and durational support. Permanent alimony is no longer one of the forms authorized for new awards under §61.08.

01

Bridge-the-Gap Alimony

Designed to assist with legitimate, identifiable short-term needs as a spouse transitions from married life to single life.

The statutory maximum duration is two years.

02

Rehabilitative Alimony

May assist a spouse in developing or restoring the ability to become self-supporting through education, training, work experience or renewed professional skills.

A specific rehabilitative plan is required, and the statutory duration generally may not exceed five years.

03

Durational Alimony

Provides economic assistance for a defined period after divorce when the statutory requirements are satisfied.

Duration and amount are subject to statutory limitations tied to marriage length, reasonable need and income.

Temporary Alimony During the Divorce

Florida law also permits temporary support while a dissolution case is pending when the applicable legal and factual requirements are met. Temporary support is distinct from the forms of post-dissolution support addressed in a final judgment.

Marriage Duration

How Florida Law Classifies Marriage Length

Current Florida law uses the duration of the marriage as an important part of the alimony analysis.

Short-Term Marriage

Less than 10 years.

Moderate-Term Marriage

10 years to less than 20 years.

Long-Term Marriage

20 years or longer.

Marriage Length Is Important — But It Is Not the Only Factor

The court also considers income, resources, earning capacity, standard of living, health, responsibilities involving minor children, contributions to the marriage and the other factors identified by Florida law.

Durational Alimony

Florida's Current Duration & Amount Framework

Current Florida law places defined limits on durational alimony.

  • Durational alimony generally is unavailable after a marriage lasting less than three years.
  • For a short-term marriage, the statutory duration generally may not exceed 50% of the length of the marriage.
  • For a moderate-term marriage, it generally may not exceed 60%.
  • For a long-term marriage, it generally may not exceed 75%.
  • The amount is generally limited by the recipient's reasonable need and the statutory income-based limitation.
Individual Analysis Matters

A Statutory Maximum Is Not an Automatic Award

Statutory limitations establish boundaries; they do not automatically determine entitlement, amount or duration in a particular case. Evidence concerning actual financial need, ability to pay and the remaining statutory factors is still central.

Florida Alimony Factors

What Does the Court Consider?

Duration of the Marriage

Marriage length affects the available duration and overall alimony analysis.

Standard of Living

The court considers the standard of living established during the marriage and anticipated post-divorce needs.

Income & Resources

Income from employment, businesses, investments and other financial resources can be relevant.

Earning Capacity

Education, employment skills, employability and the ability to become self-supporting can materially affect the analysis.

Contributions to Marriage

Homemaking, child care, education and contributions to a spouse's career can be considered.

Health & Child Responsibilities

Age, physical or mental condition and responsibilities involving minor children may also matter.

Financial Discovery

Income Is Often the Most Contested Part of an Alimony Case

A reliable alimony analysis depends on accurate financial information.

A W-2 paycheck may tell only part of the story. Compensation can include bonuses, commissions, business distributions, investment income, deferred compensation, benefits or other economic resources.

  • Tax returns
  • Bank and investment accounts
  • Pay records and employment benefits
  • Business financial statements
  • Profit-and-loss statements
  • Owner distributions
  • Retirement accounts
  • Loan applications and financial statements
St. Augustine alimony attorneys reviewing financial records and income information in a Florida divorce
Financial Evidence Matters Alimony claims should be evaluated using reliable income, expense and asset information.
Complex Income Issues

Business Owners, Variable Income & Earning Capacity

Some of the most difficult alimony disputes involve income that cannot be understood from a single pay stub.

Business Owners

Business income, distributions, expenses and benefits may require analysis of company records as well as personal income.

Variable Compensation

Bonuses, commissions, incentives and fluctuating earnings can complicate calculation of dependable income.

Underemployment

Disputes may arise when a spouse voluntarily reduces earnings or when the parties disagree about realistic earning capacity.

One Legal Team

A Full-Service Law Firm Behind Your Alimony Case

Alimony disputes can intersect with business ownership, real estate, tax issues, investments, retirement assets and complex financial litigation.

St. Johns Law Group brings together attorneys across multiple practice areas when related issues require additional analysis or legal work.

  • Family Law — alimony, divorce, parenting and support
  • Civil Litigation — discovery, depositions and courtroom preparation
  • Business Law — companies and ownership interests
  • Tax — tax-sensitive financial issues
  • Real Estate — marital homes and investment property
  • Appeals — appellate resources when appropriate
St. Johns Law Group attorneys supporting clients in Florida alimony and divorce cases
One Legal Team Family law supported by the broader resources of a full-service law firm.
Both Sides of the Alimony Analysis

Seeking Alimony or Defending Against an Alimony Claim

If You Are Seeking Alimony

The case should document actual financial need, income, expenses, earning capacity, marriage history and the applicable statutory factors.

  • Develop reliable financial disclosures
  • Identify available sources of income
  • Document expenses and post-divorce needs
  • Address education and earning capacity
  • Develop evidence supporting the requested form of support

If You Are Being Asked to Pay Alimony

The analysis should test both the claimed need and the ability to pay, rather than assuming the requested amount is appropriate.

  • Analyze the requesting spouse's income and resources
  • Review claimed expenses
  • Evaluate employability and earning capacity
  • Identify overstated or unsupported financial claims
  • Analyze your actual ability to pay
Post-Judgment Alimony

Modification, Termination & Enforcement

Some existing alimony awards may later become the subject of modification, termination or enforcement proceedings.

The available remedy depends on the type of award, the original judgment or agreement, the circumstances that have changed and Florida's modification statutes.

  • Substantial changes in financial circumstances
  • Changes in ability to pay
  • Remarriage
  • Supportive relationships
  • Rehabilitative-plan compliance
  • Enforcement of unpaid support
Post-Judgment Modification Services →

Existing Orders Require Individual Review

An older alimony award may have been entered under a prior version of Florida law. Modification questions should be evaluated by reviewing the actual judgment, settlement agreement and governing law rather than assuming today's rules automatically rewrite an existing award.

Our Approach

Building an Alimony Case

1

Financial Assessment

Review income, expenses, assets, marriage duration and disputed issues.

2

Discovery

Obtain financial documents and test disputed income or expense claims.

3

Analysis & Negotiation

Evaluate the claim under current Florida law and consider settlement options.

4

Hearing or Trial

Present financial evidence and legal arguments when agreement is not reached.

Family Law Center

Related Divorce & Family Law Services

Divorce & Family Law

Comprehensive Florida divorce and family-law representation.

Family Law Center →

Contested Divorce

Financial discovery, disputed assets and divorce litigation.

Contested Divorce →

Uncontested Divorce

Settlement agreements and efficient completion of agreed divorces.

Uncontested Divorce →

Child Support

Child-support calculations, modification and enforcement.

Child Support →

Parenting & Time-Sharing

Parenting plans and parental-responsibility disputes.

Parenting Services →

Family Law Mediation

Settlement and dispute-resolution services for family-law matters.

Family Mediation →
Family Law & Mediation Team

Meet the Family Law Team

Our family law attorneys are supported by senior paralegals and a dedicated mediation coordinator, creating a team-based approach for divorce, alimony, financial discovery, litigation and settlement.

Rachael W. Greene St. Augustine family law attorney and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator
Family Law Attorney • Certified Mediator • Guardian ad Litem

Rachael W. Greene

Family law attorney and Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator handling divorce, alimony, parenting disputes and mediation.

View Profile →
Felecia Walker St. Augustine family law probate and guardianship attorney
Family Law • Probate • Guardianship Attorney

Felecia Walker

Experienced advocate handling divorce, alimony, parenting, financial issues and contested litigation.

View Profile →
Becky Ferris St. Johns Law Group Senior Paralegal and Mediation Coordinator
Senior Paralegal • Mediation Coordinator

Becky Ferris

Supports the family law and mediation practice and coordinates case logistics and mediation scheduling.

(904) 907-2562 Direct rferris@sjlawgroup.com
Morris McEvoy St. Johns Law Group Senior Family Law Paralegal
Senior Paralegal • Family Law

Morris McEvoy

Supports family-law attorneys with discovery, document preparation, client coordination and litigation support.

(904) 516-0715 Direct mmcevoy@sjlawgroup.com
40+ Years Combined family law experience of Rachael Greene & Felecia Walker
Certified Family Mediator Settlement and dispute-resolution capability
Why St. Johns Law Group

Financial Depth. Family-Law Experience. Litigation Resources.

01

Financial Discovery

Develop the evidence needed to understand income, expenses, earning capacity and disputed financial claims.

02

Settlement & Litigation

Prepare for negotiation without losing sight of what must be proved if the dispute reaches the courtroom.

03

Full-Service Resources

Business, tax, real-estate, civil-litigation and appellate attorneys are available when those issues intersect with the alimony case.

Florida Alimony FAQs

Common Questions About Alimony in Florida

Is alimony automatic in a Florida divorce?
No. The spouse requesting alimony must establish an actual need for support and the other spouse's ability to pay before the court proceeds to the remaining statutory analysis.
Does Florida still have permanent alimony?
Florida's current alimony statute does not list permanent alimony as a form available for new awards. Current law provides for temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative and durational alimony. Existing older judgments require separate review.
What is bridge-the-gap alimony?
Bridge-the-gap alimony is intended to help with legitimate, identifiable short-term needs involved in transitioning from married life to single life. Its statutory duration may not exceed two years.
How long can rehabilitative alimony last?
Current Florida law generally limits rehabilitative alimony to five years and requires a specific rehabilitative plan.
How long can durational alimony last?
Duration depends in part on marriage length. Current law generally limits durational alimony to 50% of a short-term marriage, 60% of a moderate-term marriage and 75% of a long-term marriage, subject to the statute and applicable exceptions.
How does Florida classify the length of a marriage?
Current law creates rebuttable presumptions that a marriage of less than ten years is short-term, ten to less than twenty years is moderate-term, and twenty years or longer is long-term.
Can the court consider business income?
Yes. Relevant financial resources can extend beyond wages and may include business income, distributions, benefits and other economic resources depending on the facts.
Can earning capacity matter in an alimony case?
Yes. Education, employment history, employability and realistic earning capacity can become important issues when the parties dispute income or self-support.
Can alimony be modified later?
Certain awards may be subject to modification depending on the type of alimony, the judgment or agreement and the circumstances that have changed. The governing documents should be reviewed before determining whether modification is available.
What is a supportive relationship?
Florida law contains provisions addressing circumstances in which an alimony recipient has a qualifying supportive relationship. Whether those provisions apply depends on the evidence and applicable law.
Recent Legal Insights

Recent Family Law Articles

Recent SJLG resources addressing Florida divorce, alimony, parenting, support, mediation and related family-law issues.

View All Family Law Articles
Northeast Florida Family Law Counsel

Areas We Serve

St. Johns Law Group represents clients in alimony, divorce and family-law matters throughout St. Augustine and Northeast Florida.

St. Johns County

St. Augustine • St. Augustine Beach • Ponte Vedra • Ponte Vedra Beach • Nocatee • SilverLeaf • St. Johns • Julington Creek • Fruit Cove • World Golf Village

Jacksonville & Duval County

Jacksonville • Mandarin • San Marco • Southside • Baymeadows • Jacksonville Beach and surrounding communities

Flagler County

Palm Coast • Flagler Beach • Bunnell and surrounding communities

Clay County

Green Cove Springs • Fleming Island • Middleburg • Oakleaf

Putnam County

Palatka • East Palatka • Interlachen • Crescent City

Additional Northeast Florida Communities

Other family-law matters may be handled as appropriate based on jurisdiction and the circumstances of the case.

St. Johns Law Group alimony attorneys office at 104 Sea Grove Main Street in St. Augustine Florida
St. Johns Law Group 104 Sea Grove Main Street • St. Augustine, Florida
Local St. Augustine Office

Florida Alimony Counsel Based in St. Augustine

Our family-law team represents clients seeking alimony, defending against alimony claims and addressing post-judgment support issues throughout Northeast Florida.

  • 104 Sea Grove Main Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32080
  • Family-law representation throughout Northeast Florida
  • In-person, telephone and remote consultation options
Alimony Attorney Consultation

Talk With a St. Augustine Alimony Attorney

Whether you are requesting alimony or defending against a claim, our family-law team can review the financial issues, current Florida law and possible next steps.

  • ✓ Alimony claims and defenses
  • ✓ Financial discovery and income analysis
  • ✓ Negotiation, litigation and post-judgment issues
Call (904) 495-0400 Email Our Team

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