Spousal Maintenance
Spousal maintenance is another name for alimony—payments from one spouse to the other to help with financial support after divorce. Florida law uses the term "alimony" and recognizes several types, including bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational. For cases filed on or after July 1, 2023, Florida eliminated permanent alimony, so support is now tied to defined purposes and time limits based on the length of the marriage.
Last updated June 21, 2026
Legal Definition
Court-ordered support paid by one spouse to the other following dissolution, governed by F.S. §61.08, which authorizes bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational forms and, for cases filed on or after July 1, 2023, abolished permanent alimony. Awards require findings on need and ability to pay.
Example
Because she had paused her career to raise their children, the court ordered rehabilitative spousal maintenance to fund her return to nursing.
Related Statutes
- 61.08
Related Terms
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