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How Will The Alimony Bill In The Florida Legislature Affect Your Orlando, Florida Divorce?

THERE ARE CURRENTLY ALIMONY BILLS IN THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE. There are 2 separate bills in the Florida legislature regarding abolishing permanent alimony.  They are:

• HB 283 (sponsored by Representative Burton) and
• SB 412 (sponsored by Senator Passidimo).

You can check out both of these the bills by Googling Online Sunshine and then www.leg.state.fl.us. The current bills are looking at having only one type of alimony that would be done by a formula. You can read all about this online. www.leg.state.fl.us

Currently, Florida marriages are classified as follows:

• under 7 years- short term marriage where there is no presumption of alimony.
• 7 to 17 years- moderate marriage
• 17 years and over 17 years–long term marriage where there is a presumption of permanent alimony.

Currently in Florida there are the following kinds of Alimony:

• Permanent
• Durational
• Bridge the Gap
• Rehabilitative
• Lump Sum

Usually a spouse will ask for all of the above or a combination of the above alimony.

The Alimony Reform in the Legislature is focusing on these issues:

• Alimony Guidelines
• Enhanced Imputation of Income
• Codifying the Case Law on Modifications of Alimony Related to Retirement
• Fees for Unnecessary Litigation for Modifications of Alimony

The legislature is now proposing guidelines for alimony:

The Discretionary Range for Durational Alimony would be:  25% to 75% of the length of the marriage

ALIMONY LOW END

(.015 X ____ number of years of the marriage) X (spouse 1 income-spouse 2 income) = Alimony

ALIMONY HIGH END

(.025 X____ number of years of the marriage) X (spouse 1 income-spouse 2 income) = Alimony

These issues have come before the legislature the last several years. Everyone will have to wait and see whether either of the bills pass and become law.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney client privilege.

If you have more questions regarding alimony in the Orlando, Florida area, you may contact Ann Marie Gilden, Esquire of Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, PA at 407-732-7620 to set an initial consultation regarding further questions on these issues.