Can Alimony Be Modified After Florida’s 2023 Reform Law?

If you are paying or receiving alimony in Central Florida, you have probably heard that Florida overhauled its alimony laws in 2023. A common question that follows is whether an existing alimony order can still be changed under the new rules. As Orlando alimony attorneys, we hear this question often, and the short answer is yes, modification is still possible, but the process now looks a little different than it did before the reform.

What Changed in 2023

Florida’s alimony reform, signed into law in 2023, eliminated permanent alimony going forward and reshaped how courts handle requests to change existing support orders. The law amended Florida Statute § 61.14, which governs the modification and enforcement of alimony, and Florida Statute § 61.08, which governs how alimony is awarded in the first place. One of the more talked about changes involves retirement. Under the updated law, a paying spouse who reaches or approaches normal retirement age may ask a court to reduce or terminate alimony, and judges are directed to weigh that request more directly than under the old framework.

The reform also clarified how supportive relationships affect alimony. If the spouse receiving support has entered into a relationship that resembles a marriage, even without a legal marriage, that can now be a stronger basis for reducing or ending alimony than it was previously.

The Basic Standard for Modification

Generally speaking, a party asking to modify alimony still needs to show a substantial change in circumstances since the last order was entered. This might include a significant change in income, a job loss, a serious illness, or retirement. What has shifted is how certain fact patterns, particularly retirement and supportive relationships, are treated under the statute. The law now offers more specific guidance for courts to follow in these situations rather than leaving the analysis entirely open ended.

Does the New Law Apply to Older Alimony Orders

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the reform. The 2023 changes primarily affect new alimony awards in cases filed on or after the law’s effective date. However, some provisions relating to modification, including those addressing retirement and supportive relationships, can potentially apply to alimony orders that were established years earlier. Whether a particular provision applies to your situation depends heavily on the specific facts of your case and when your original order was entered.

Why the Details Matter

Because the reform changed multiple sections of Florida law at once, and because courts around the state are still interpreting how those changes apply to older cases, this is not an area where guesswork serves anyone well. Two people with seemingly similar situations, such as an upcoming retirement or a former spouse’s new relationship, can end up with very different outcomes depending on the timing and details of their case.

We Are Here to Help

Florida’s alimony reform introduced real opportunities for some paying spouses to seek relief, while also raising new questions for spouses who rely on support. If you are wondering whether your alimony order might qualify for modification, or if you want to understand how the 2023 changes could affect a case that is still pending, our Orlando alimony lawyers at Greater Orlando Family Law are ready to talk through your situation. Reach out to our team today for guidance.

Source:

flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/61.14