Florida Alimony Calculator
Alimony Factors Analysis
What Is a Florida Alimony Calculator?
A Florida Alimony Calculator is a digital tool that estimates possible alimony payments. It uses inputs like:
- Payor’s gross monthly income
- Recipient’s gross monthly income
- Both spouses’ reasonable monthly needs
- Length of marriage in years
The calculator compares the recipient’s financial need with the payor’s ability to pay. If there is a gap between the recipient’s needs and income, and the payor has disposable income, the calculator suggests an estimated payment range.
Important Note: Florida law does not mandate a fixed formula. Courts decide alimony based on statutory factors in § 61.08, Florida Statutes. The calculator is only an informational tool, not legal advice.
How the Florida Alimony Calculator Works
The calculator uses a simple three-step logic:
- Calculates Need and Ability to Pay
- Recipient’s need = Recipient’s reasonable expenses – Recipient’s income
- Payor’s ability = Payor’s income – Payor’s expenses
- Determines Payment Range
- If either number is zero (no need or no ability), alimony is unlikely.
- Otherwise, the payment estimate is 75%–100% of the smaller value (need vs. ability).
- Considers Length of Marriage
Florida law categorizes marriages into three types:- Short-term (less than 7 years): Alimony is rare. Only limited forms like bridge-the-gap may apply.
- Moderate-term (7–16 years): Durational alimony is possible, but it cannot exceed the length of the marriage.
- Long-term (17+ years): Courts generally favor awarding alimony, often for a term equal to the marriage length.
Example: Florida Alimony Estimate
Imagine this scenario:
- Payor earns $10,000/month with $5,000 in expenses.
- Recipient earns $2,000/month with $4,000 in expenses.
- Marriage lasted 15 years.
- Recipient’s need = $4,000 – $2,000 = $2,000
- Payor’s ability = $10,000 – $5,000 = $5,000
- Estimated payment range = $1,500 – $2,000/month
- Marriage category = Moderate-term (15 years), so durational alimony is possible.
Florida Alimony Law Update (2023)
As of July 1, 2023, Florida eliminated permanent alimony. Judges now rely primarily on durational alimony, which cannot exceed the length of the marriage. Other forms like bridge-the-gap and rehabilitative alimony remain available but are typically short-term.
This change makes estimating alimony more predictable. The calculator reflects this by focusing on durational awards instead of permanent support.
Why Use a Florida Alimony Calculator?
Clarity: Helps you understand potential outcomes before meeting with an attorney.
Preparation: Gives both parties a starting point for negotiation.
Awareness: Highlights whether alimony is even likely in your case.
But remember—every case is unique. Courts may weigh additional factors such as:
- Standard of living during the marriage
- Age and health of each spouse
- Contributions to the marriage (financial and non-financial)
- Responsibilities for children
Try the Florida Alimony Calculator
Our interactive tool makes it simple. Just enter the payor’s and recipient’s incomes, their expenses, and the length of marriage. You’ll instantly see:
- An estimated monthly payment range
- Likely classification of the marriage
- Key judicial factors the court may consider
At the bottom, you’ll also see a disclaimer reminding you this is not legal advice. Always consult a qualified Florida divorce attorney before making decisions.
