How to Prepare for Divorce with Florida’s New Legislation

If you are approaching divorce in Florida, there are a number of steps you can take to prepare for the upcoming legal process while keeping in mind recent legislative changes. These changes involve not only alimony, but also aspects of custody. The good news is that you can start preparing effectively for the legal process ahead – but only if you thoroughly understand these new changes and how they might affect your unique situation.

Understand Your Retirement Age 

One of the most important steps when preparing for divorce in Florida is to understand your retirement age. For most Americans, this is somewhere between 65 and 67. However, “normal retirement age” may differ based on your specific profession – with some retirement ages being earlier or later depending on the unique demands of your job. For example, firefighters typically retire much earlier than office workers.

Why does this matter? Because according to Florida’s new legislation, it is much easier to end alimony or avoid paying it altogether if you have reached retirement age. You might even choose to retire prior to your divorce to avoid paying alimony – especially if you are very close to retirement anyway. This means that retirement planning and divorce planning are now quite linked in Florida.

 Move Out in a Strategic Manner to Ensure Positive Custody Results 

If you still have minor children in the family, you can also plan effectively by moving out in a very strategic manner. Florida previously had an unwritten “50-mile rule” that made spouses less likely to achieve positive custody results if they moved too far away from the family home. With recent legislative changes, this rule has been explicitly written into law. In other words, you might want to plan out your new rental or home purchase very carefully if you want to ensure positive custody results in Florida.

 Keep an Eye on Your Spouse 

Finally, it might be a good idea to keep a close eye on your spouse before, during, and after the divorce process. While it’s never a good idea to “stalk” or harass your ex, their activities could allow you to pay less alimony or eliminate spousal support altogether. Recent legislative changes clearly state that if your ex begins a new “supportive relationship,” you may no longer need to pay alimony.

The definition of a “supportive relationship” is somewhat elusive, so you may need to speak with a qualified divorce attorney in Florida to gain a clear idea of when this threshold is reached – and what to do next. If you don’t like the idea of constantly checking your spouse’s social media accounts to see if they have started a new relationship, your attorney can do this for you. The main thing is to put some kind of plan in place.

Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Divorce Attorney in Florida? 

If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced Orlando divorce attorney who truly understands the recent legislative changes, look no further than Steve Marsee, P.A. We can help you prepare for your upcoming divorce in the most effective manner by educating you about these new changes. You can start preparing before you even file for divorce, so book your consultation today and begin putting your affairs in order.

Sources: 

sun-sentinel.com/2023/07/26/permanent-alimony-no-longer-exists-in-florida-understanding-the-states-new-law-on-divorce-payments/

jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/03/permanent-alimony-new-florida-law-change/70378477007/