Spousal Support And Alimony Expert Representation with a Personal Touch

St. Petersburg Alimony Lawyer

Serving St. Petersburg Alimony Clients Since 2004 – One Attorney, Start to Finish

Whether you’re seeking spousal support or contesting it, alimony cases turn on financial details that require careful preparation and consistent advocacy. Plotnick Law Offices has represented St. Petersburg clients in family law matters since 2004, and our attorneys bring more than 35 years of combined experience to these cases. You’ll work with the same attorney from your initial consultation through final resolution. There are no handoffs and no starting over with someone new mid-case.

Our alimony attorneys handle both sides of these disputes: pursuing awards for clients who need financial support after divorce and contesting claims that aren’t supported by the facts. Florida’s alimony law changed substantially in 2023, and the strategy that fit your case two years ago may not fit it today. If you have questions about how the current law applies to your situation, call us or reach out online for a free consultation.

Whether you’re seeking or contesting spousal support, our St. Petersburg alimony attorneys are ready to fight for your interests. Call (727) 619-1827 or reach out online for a free consultation.

How Florida Courts Decide Spousal Support

Alimony isn’t automatically granted in a Florida divorce. Courts apply a two-part threshold before awarding any support: the requesting spouse must demonstrate a genuine financial need, and the other spouse must have the ability to pay. Both conditions must be satisfied. If they are, the court selects the type, amount, and duration of support based on the statutory factors in Florida Statute 61.08.

Those factors include the standard of living established during the marriage, the length of the marriage, the age and physical and emotional condition of each spouse, the financial resources and earning capacity of each party, and contributions to the marriage, including homemaking, childcare, and supporting the other spouse’s career or education. Courts can also impute income to a spouse who appears voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, treating that spouse as earning what they’re capable of earning. Alimony cases in St. Petersburg are heard in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, with the Clearwater Courthouse serving as the primary venue for dissolution and alimony matters.

Florida’s 2023 Alimony Reform: What Changed & What It Means for Your Case

Florida SB 1416 was signed into law on March 24, 2023, and took effect July 1, 2023. It represents the most significant change to Florida alimony law in decades, and it directly affects every case filed or pending on or after that date.

What the 2023 Reform Eliminated & Replaced

The most immediate change is that permanent alimony no longer exists for cases governed by the amended statute. Courts may not award lifetime spousal support in new proceedings. The types of alimony available under current Florida law are temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational. Durational alimony is now subject to a hard income cap. Awards may not exceed 35% of the difference between the parties’ net incomes, and durational alimony can’t be awarded at all for marriages of less than three years.

New Modification Standards Under SB 1416

The reform also introduced new standards for modification. A paying spouse approaching retirement can petition for modification or termination no sooner than six months before the planned retirement date, and courts must treat good-faith retirement at or near full Social Security retirement age as a legitimate basis for that request. Cohabitation matters too: if the alimony recipient enters a supportive relationship, meaning they live with or receive substantial financial support from another adult, the paying spouse can seek reduction or termination even without remarriage.

Judges are now required to make specific written findings of fact on need, ability to pay, and the reasoning behind the type of alimony awarded. That requirement raises the stakes for how each side presents its case. A general claim of need is no longer enough.

How the Reform Affects Existing Orders

Existing permanent alimony orders issued before July 1, 2023, remain in effect. The 2023 law didn’t retroactively eliminate them. However, those orders can still be modified under the new standards if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Our alimony attorneys in St. Petersburg handle both new cases under the reformed statute and modification proceedings involving pre-2023 orders.

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Why Choose Plotnick Law Offices?

Experience, Commitment, and Personalized Care

As a former prosecutor, we understand how to build strong cases. Our hands-on approach ensures you’re supported every step of the way.

Experience That Matters

Led by a former prosecutor, Plotnick Law Offices offers unique insights and strategic advantages for every case. Our deep understanding of the legal system ensures that we can effectively advocate for your rights and best interests.
Relentless Preparation

Success begins with preparation. We leave no stone unturned when investigating and building your case, ensuring that every detail is thoroughly examined to strengthen your position.
Hands-On Advocacy

When you choose Plotnick Law Offices, you’ll work directly with an experienced attorney from start to finish. We don’t shuffle clients between attorneys—you’ll always have consistent and reliable guidance.
Personalized Representation

At Plotnick Law Offices, we prioritize building strong, lasting relationships with our clients. We take the time to understand your unique needs and goals, ensuring that your case strategy is tailored to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Who Qualifies for Alimony in Florida?

To qualify for alimony in Florida, the requesting spouse must demonstrate financial need and the other spouse must have the ability to pay. Both conditions must be met before a court considers any award. From there, the court evaluates the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial resources and earning capacity, and the contributions each party made to the marriage.

Those contributions aren’t limited to income. Non-economic contributions, such as raising children, managing the household, or supporting a spouse through education or career advancement, are recognized statutory factors under Florida Statute 61.08. A spouse who left the workforce to care for children may have a strong basis for support even without recent income history. Either spouse can request alimony if the facts justify it; Florida law is not gender-specific on this point.

Our family law attorneys assess each client’s specific circumstances to evaluate eligibility and build the most complete case possible. We present non-economic contributions clearly, because those contributions directly shape the financial picture the court sees.

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Meet Our Experienced Legal Team

Want to learn more about the team behind your case? Visit our About page to meet Marc F. Plotnick and Paul S. Horning, and discover how their experience can make a difference for you.

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Types of Alimony Available in Florida After the 2023 Reform

Florida currently recognizes four types of alimony for cases filed or pending on or after July 1, 2023. Permanent alimony is no longer available under the reformed statute. Our family law attorneys help clients identify which type applies to their situation and advocate for the appropriate form and duration in Pinellas County proceedings.

Temporary Alimony
Also called pendente lite support, temporary alimony is ordered while the divorce is pending. It ends when the final judgment is entered and is designed to maintain financial stability during the proceedings themselves.

Bridge-the-Gap Alimony
This type helps a spouse transition from married to single life by covering identifiable short-term needs. It is capped at two years and, once awarded, is not modifiable in amount or duration.

Rehabilitative Alimony
Rehabilitative alimony supports a spouse who needs time and resources to pursue education, job training, or career development. It requires a specific rehabilitative plan, submitted to and approved by the court, that outlines the steps and timeline for becoming self-supporting.

Durational Alimony
Durational alimony provides support for a defined period when another type would not be appropriate. It is subject to caps tied to the length of the marriage, may not exceed 35% of the net income difference between the parties, and can’t be awarded for marriages of less than three years. Under Florida Statute 61.08, marriage duration for alimony purposes is defined as follows: short-term is less than seven years, moderate-term is seven to seventeen years, and long-term is seventeen years or more.

Courts may award a combination of alimony types, or none at all, depending on the facts of the case. Our attorneys analyze each client’s current financial situation and post-divorce goals to identify which type, and which combination, best fits their circumstances. That may mean pursuing rehabilitative alimony tied to a specific training plan or contesting a durational award that exceeds what the statute permits.

Mediation in St. Petersburg Alimony Cases

Mediation is commonly pursued in Pinellas County alimony cases before the matter proceeds to a contested hearing. A neutral third-party mediator facilitates discussion between the spouses, with the goal of reaching a mutually agreed resolution rather than a court-imposed one. The process gives both parties more control over the outcome than litigation typically allows.

One practical advantage of mediation is flexibility. A mediated agreement can account for circumstances a rigid court order may not, such as a spouse’s anticipated return to the workforce, planned changes in income, or how alimony interacts with property division and parenting arrangements. Our attorneys guide clients through mediation with their interests clearly represented, and we review any proposed agreement carefully before it’s signed to confirm it’s legally sound and aligned with the client’s long-term needs.

Pinellas County Court Procedures for Alimony Cases

Alimony cases in St. Petersburg are heard in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, with the Clearwater Courthouse serving as the primary venue for family law and dissolution matters in Pinellas County. Florida doesn’t use a formula to calculate alimony; judges exercise significant discretion and, under the 2023 reform, must make specific written findings of fact on need, ability to pay, and the rationale for the type of alimony selected.

Financial disclosure is a mandatory procedural step. Gathering complete and accurate financial records early, including income documentation, asset statements, and expense records, affects both the timeline and the outcome of alimony hearings. Incomplete financial affidavits and late document production can disrupt hearing schedules and, more significantly, undermine a party’s credibility with the court. Plotnick Law Offices has practiced family law in St. Petersburg since 2004 and understands the procedural expectations of Pinellas County judges and how they’re applying the reformed statute in contested cases.

Alimony Modifications & Enforcement in St. Petersburg

Alimony orders can be modified or terminated when there is a substantial change in circumstances. Common grounds include job loss, a significant increase or decrease in income, a serious health change, or remarriage of the recipient. The party seeking modification bears the burden of proving that the change is real and that it justifies the adjustment requested. Courts require evidence, not just assertion.

The 2023 reform expanded the grounds for modification in two notable ways. First, a paying spouse’s good-faith retirement at or near full Social Security retirement age is now an express statutory basis for seeking modification or termination, and that spouse may petition no sooner than six months before the planned retirement date. Second, a supportive relationship, where the recipient cohabits with or receives substantial financial support from another adult, can justify reduction or termination even when the recipient hasn’t remarried.

Existing permanent alimony orders from before July 1, 2023, remain in effect but aren’t insulated from modification. If circumstances have changed substantially, those orders can still be revisited under the new standards.

When a paying spouse fails to comply with an alimony order, the recipient can file a motion for enforcement in the Pinellas County circuit court. Consequences for non-payment include wage garnishment, asset seizure, or a finding of contempt of court. A non-paying spouse may also be required to cover the recipient’s attorney fees incurred in enforcing the order. Our alimony attorneys assist clients in both pursuing enforcement and defending against enforcement actions they believe are unfair.

Alimony disputes have real financial consequences. Call our St. Petersburg alimony attorneys at (727) 619-1827 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and talk through your options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alimony in St. Petersburg

What Determines the Amount of Alimony in St. Petersburg?

The amount is based on the statutory factors in Florida Statute 61.08: marriage length, each party’s financial resources and earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, and contributions to the marriage, among others. Under the current statute, alimony may not leave the payer with significantly less net income than the recipient except in exceptional circumstances, and awards may not exceed 35% of the net income difference between the parties.

Can Alimony Be Modified or Terminated?

Yes, when there is a substantial change in circumstances. Common grounds include job loss, significant income changes, retirement at or near full retirement age, a supportive relationship, or remarriage of the recipient. The party seeking modification bears the burden of proof. Courts require evidence of the changed circumstances, not just an assertion that they exist.

How Is Alimony Enforced in St. Petersburg?

Through the Pinellas County circuit court. A recipient who isn’t receiving payments can file a motion for enforcement. Consequences for non-payment include wage garnishment, asset seizure, or contempt of court. A non-paying spouse may also be required to pay the recipient’s attorney fees incurred in the enforcement proceeding.

What Happens If I Remarry?

Remarriage of the recipient generally ends the alimony obligation. Courts also consider supportive relationships, where the recipient cohabits with or receives substantial support from another adult, as grounds for reduction or termination even without remarriage. If you believe your former spouse has entered a supportive relationship, that may be grounds to seek a modification.

How Long Does Alimony Last in St. Petersburg?

Duration depends on the type of alimony and the length of the marriage. Bridge-the-gap alimony is capped at two years. Durational alimony is subject to caps tied to marriage length and can’t be awarded for marriages under three years. Permanent alimony is no longer available for cases governed by the 2023 reform. Courts retain discretion on duration within those limits, and marriage length is one of the most significant factors in that determination.

How Does Florida’s 2023 Alimony Reform Affect My Case?

If your divorce petition was filed or was pending on or after July 1, 2023, the reformed Florida Statute 61.08 applies. Permanent alimony isn’t available. Courts must make specific written findings on need, ability to pay, and the rationale for the type of alimony selected. If you have an existing permanent alimony order from before 2023, it remains in effect but may be subject to modification under the new standards if your circumstances have changed substantially.

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