August 14, 2025
Divorce is never easy and can become especially complicated when high incomes, business interests, luxury lifestyles, and complex assets are involved. One of the most challenging and financially significant aspects of a high-net-worth divorce in Florida is alimony. Whether you are the spouse who may be ordered to pay or the one seeking financial support, it’s essential to understand how Florida courts approach alimony, particularly in cases involving substantial assets and income streams.
If alimony might be an issue in your divorce, contact a Florida divorce lawyer from the start.
Understanding Alimony in Florida
Alimony, which is also referred to as spousal support, is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to another following divorce or legal separation. Its purpose is to provide financial support to a spouse who cannot meet their needs without assistance, particularly if they sacrificed career advancement, education, or earning capacity during the marriage.
Types of Alimony Available in Florida
There are several common types of alimony in Florida, including the following.
Temporary Alimony
Purpose: To provide financial support while the divorce proceedings are ongoing.
Duration: Alimony ends when the final divorce decree is entered.
This type of alimony is often used to maintain the lower-earning spouse’s standard of living and cover legal expenses during complex litigation.
The purpose of temporary alimony is to ensure that one spouse is not unfairly disadvantaged during a lengthy divorce process. In high-net-worth cases, this often includes payments for luxury housing, vehicles, private school tuition, and even staff salaries (nannies, housekeepers, etc.).
Bridge-the-Gap Alimony
Purpose: To assist a spouse in transitioning from married life to single life.
Duration: Cannot exceed 2 years.
Bridge-the-gap alimony may be used for immediate and identifiable short-term needs, such as:
- Moving expenses
- Reestablishing a household
- Short-term job training
While it is less common in high-asset divorces, it may still be awarded if the lower-earning spouse has short-term transition needs after a relatively short marriage.
Rehabilitative Alimony
Purpose: To support a spouse while they acquire the education, training, or work experience necessary to become self-sufficient.
Duration: Based on the length of the rehabilitative plan, it must be specific and court-approved.
Rehabilitative alimony is especially relevant if one spouse gave up a career or educational opportunities to raise children or support the other’s professional development. In high-net-worth marriages, this type of alimony may fund:
- Graduate school or professional certification
- Career coaching
- High-level retraining programs
It’s also frequently combined with other forms of alimony.
Durational Alimony
Purpose: To provide financial support for a set period of time following the divorce.
Duration: In most cases, durational alimony cannot exceed 50 percent of the length of a short-term marriage (under 10 years), 60 percent of a moderate-term marriage (10–20 years), or 75 percent of a long-term marriage (over 20 years).
Durational alimony is typically the primary long-term alimony option under Florida law. While permanent alimony has been eliminated, durational alimony allows for longer-term support in marriages of significant duration, especially where one spouse has become financially dependent.
In high-asset cases, durational alimony awards can be substantial. Courts may base the amount not just on minimum needs, but on maintaining a lifestyle similar to that enjoyed during the marriage. This can include luxury housing, private schools, country clubs, travel budgets, and more.
Factors That Influence Alimony in High-Asset Divorces
Florida courts do not apply a fixed formula to determine alimony. Instead, they consider a wide range of factors to decide whether alimony is appropriate, what type to award, and how much.
Key considerations include:
Standard of Living During the Marriage
Courts seek to maintain (as closely as possible) the standard of living the dependent spouse became accustomed to, especially in long-term marriages. In high-income households, this can mean preserving access to:
- Luxury real estate
- Private school tuition
- Fine dining and travel
- Household staff
- Social and professional networks
Duration of the Marriage
The longer the marriage, the stronger the argument for long-term (durational) alimony. Long-term marriages are considered those over 20 years in Florida.
Financial Resources of Each Party
Courts will examine both spouses’:
- Income from all sources
- Assets (liquid and illiquid)
- Business ownership interests
- Investment income
- Trust funds and inheritance (in some cases)
In high-asset divorces, passive income, real estate portfolios, and complex financial structures may all be considered when evaluating the ability to pay.
Earning Capacities
If one spouse has the potential to earn but is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on prior earning history, education, and work experience. This is particularly important when one spouse attempts to reduce income to avoid paying alimony.
Contributions to the Marriage
This includes both financial contributions and non-financial ones, such as:
- Raising children
- Managing the household
- Supporting the other spouse’s education or career
These contributions carry significant weight in alimony determinations.
Protecting Yourself in a High-Asset Divorce
Whether you’re seeking alimony or trying to defend against an excessive claim, the stakes are high when substantial wealth is on the table. Working with a skilled Florida alimony attorney can help protect you as you navigate the divorce process.
For High-Income Payers:
- Ensure full and accurate asset disclosure. Incomplete or misleading disclosures can lead to sanctions or higher awards.
- Pre- and post-nuptial agreements can protect against unreasonable alimony demands, but only if drafted and executed properly.
- Work with a divorce attorney and financial expert to present a realistic picture of income and liquidity (especially if assets are tied up in business ventures or real estate).
For Alimony Recipients:
- Be prepared to show your financial needs and how the marriage impacted your career or earning potential.
- Create a detailed rehabilitative plan if you’re seeking that form of alimony.
- Gather documentation of your marital lifestyle to support your claim for maintaining a certain standard of living.
Speak with a Florida Divorce Lawyer Right Away
If you’re facing divorce and significant assets are involved, navigating alimony requires not only legal experience but also financial knowledge. Whether you’re negotiating a settlement or preparing for litigation, the right legal team can help protect your wealth, your rights, and your future.
If you are involved in high-net-worth divorce and complex financial litigation, it is advisable to speak with an experienced divorce attorney. The right divorce lawyer can work closely with CPAs, forensic accountants, and business valuation experts to ensure clients receive (or pay) alimony that is fair and based on real-world numbers. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and get strategic guidance tailored to your unique financial situation.