On June 24, 2022, Governor DeSantis vetoed the most recent alimony reform statute, SB 1796.  That law would have eliminated permanent alimony as an option for judges in dissolution of marriage cases.  Currently, judges may award permanent alimony, durational alimony, rehabilitative alimony, bridge the gap alimony or lump sum alimony if the financial circumstances are appropriate for an award of alimony.  But even under the current law, permanent alimony is rarely permanent.

Permanent alimony is defined as terminating automatically upon the remarriage of the recipient, upon the death of the recipient and typically upon the death of the payor.  It is modifiable as to the length of the payments and/or the amount of the payments based upon an unanticipated material change in circumstance occurring after its initial award.  The most common change in circumstance is due to retirement of the payor or the recipient living in a supportive relationship.

Are you planning to retire in the near future?  Is your ex-spouse living in a supportive relationship?  Is your ex-spouse earning more income than they were when you were ordered to pay alimony?  Make an appointment to meet with one of our highly qualified South Florida attorneys at Birnbaum, Lippman & Gregoire, PLLC to represent you in modifying your alimony.  We pride ourselves on offering caring, compassionate, legal services at competitive rates in Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and other South Florida counties.

Written by Katherine O. Birnbaum, Esq.