If I Move to Florida, Can I Stop Paying Alimony?

If you are a divorcee, you might want to start fresh in a different state. Florida has many attractive qualities, from its low taxation to its sunny weather, and it draws in many new arrivals each year. You might have heard that the Sunshine State has abolished permanent alimony, but does this apply to new arrivals? If you move to Florida, can you stop paying alimony? This is something you might want to discuss with an experienced alimony lawyer in Orlando.

Florida’s Ban on Permanent Alimony Is Not Retroactive

While Florida has banned permanent alimony, this prohibition is not retroactive. In other words, only new divorces in Florida are subject to this rule. If your divorce has already been finalized by a court (whether in Florida or another state), the ban on permanent alimony has no effect on you. To benefit from Florida’s ban on permanent alimony, you would need to relocate to the Sunshine State and convince your ex to move there as well before filing for divorce in this jurisdiction.

Can I Modify My Alimony After I Move to Florida?

You can modify your alimony agreement after you relocate to Florida, but you would need to file your modification petition in the same court that granted your initial divorce decree. In other words, courts in Florida would have no jurisdiction over your divorce. Any further modifications will need to occur in your home state, which means Florida’s alimony laws would not apply to your situation.

If both you and your ex decide to move to Florida, there is a slight chance of modifying your alimony agreement according to Florida law. Your ex would need to agree to allow Florida to take jurisdiction over the divorce. If your ex risks losing alimony by doing so, it is difficult to imagine why they would agree to such a change. Both spouses need to live in Florida for at least six months before moving forward with a modification.

Florida Is an Expensive State in Which to Start Over

If your main priority is to improve your financial health after a divorce, Florida might not be the best choice. A recent study published by WFTV found that Florida is the third most expensive state in the country in which to start over after divorce. The cost of living in Florida, which includes high property insurance and home insurance (among other things), could easily outweigh any benefit you might experience by eliminating alimony.

Can an Orlando Alimony Lawyer Help Me?

Generally speaking, ending permanent alimony by moving to Florida is a difficult task for most people. While it is theoretically possible under certain circumstances, you also need to consider the fact that Florida is an expensive state. This makes it a difficult place in which to “start over,” and it may make more sense to modify the alimony order in your home state. That said, a conversation with an Orlando alimony lawyer gives you an opportunity to discuss your specific circumstances. Contact Steve Marsee, P.A. at 407-521-7171 to continue this discussion.

Source:

 wftv.com/news/local/florida-ranks-3rd-most-expensive-state-start-over-after-divorce/ECYM5M32CZA4LCOCGL6PRHW5EQ/