When Governor DeSantis signed HB 475 into law in 2023, Florida became the largest state in the country to abolish permanent alimony. For every divorce lawyer Tampa families consult today, that law is no longer a recent development — it’s the operating reality of every divorce filed after July 1, 2023. Three years in, the full weight of the reform is now visible in Hillsborough County courtrooms. Clients who expected decades of support are receiving durational awards instead. Clients who were paying permanent alimony are petitioning for modification. And families on both sides of the courtroom are asking questions that simply didn’t exist under the old framework.
Florida family law has rarely changed so significantly in such a short period. Florida divorce attorneys statewide have spent the last two years recalibrating the advice they give clients on settlement, litigation risk, and long-term financial planning. In Tampa specifically, where the Hillsborough County Circuit Court Family Law Division handles thousands of divorce filings annually, a Tampa divorce lawyer must be fluent not only in the post-HB 475 framework but also in how local judges are applying it in practice — because the statute leaves significant discretion to the bench. Divorce law attorneys in Hillsborough County are closely watching how durational alimony duration calculations are being applied to long marriages that just cross the 20-year threshold.
Florida’s Alimony Reform and What It Means for Tampa Divorce Cases
HB 475, effective July 1, 2023, made three structural changes to Florida alimony law that continue to shape every Tampa divorce case filed today. First, it eliminated permanent alimony entirely for divorces filed on or after the effective date. Second, it capped alimony at a percentage of the income gap between spouses — courts generally cannot award alimony exceeding 35% of the difference between the parties’ net monthly incomes, according to HenLaw’s 2026 analysis of Florida divorce law changes. Third, it tied alimony duration directly to marriage length, with hard caps for short, moderate, and long marriages.
The four types of alimony still available under Florida law are temporary alimony (during the divorce process), bridge-the-gap alimony (for short adjustment periods after divorce), rehabilitative alimony (tied to a specific plan for re-entering the workforce), and durational alimony (for a defined period not to exceed the length-of-marriage caps). For Tampa spouses in long marriages who previously expected to negotiate around the possibility of permanent alimony, the elimination of that option has substantially shifted settlement leverage.
Did you know? Florida alimony may not exceed 35% of the difference between the spouses’ net monthly incomes under the 2023 reform — a hard cap that does not exist in most other states.
Common Divorce Cases Tampa Families Face in 2026
- Durational alimony disputes: Courts have discretion within the statutory caps, and parties often disagree on whether the circumstances warrant alimony at the maximum permitted duration or something shorter.
- Alimony modification petitions: The reform clarified that reaching Social Security retirement age is now a basis to petition for alimony reduction or termination — opening a wave of modification cases from existing payers.
- Supportive relationship claims: Under HB 475, a receiving spouse living with a new partner in a relationship with financial entanglement can trigger a modification or termination petition — courts look at shared expenses, shared housing, and the nature of the relationship.
- Equitable distribution of assets: Florida is an equitable distribution state, not community property. Judges divide marital assets based on fairness, not necessarily 50/50 — disputes over business valuations, retirement accounts, and real estate are common in Hillsborough County.
- Child custody and time-sharing: Florida courts use the “best interests of the child” standard. Parenting plans detailing time-sharing schedules and decision-making authority must be filed in every case involving minor children.
- High-asset divorce: Tampa’s professional and business-owner community generates complex divorce cases involving business valuations, offshore accounts, deferred compensation, and stock options.
- Interstate and international divorce: Hillsborough County’s military population (MacDill Air Force Base) creates jurisdictional complexity in cases where one spouse is stationed elsewhere or deployed abroad.
Florida Divorce Law and Hillsborough County Circuit Court
Florida requires a 6-month residency period before filing for divorce in the state. Once filed, the divorce proceeds through the Hillsborough County Circuit Court’s Family Law Division, located at the George Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa. Florida is a no-fault divorce state — neither party needs to prove wrongdoing to obtain a dissolution of marriage. The only requirement is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”
However, fault can still affect certain aspects of the case. A spouse’s waste of marital assets — known as dissipation — can influence equitable distribution. Domestic violence may affect timesharing arrangements. And a spouse’s adultery, while not grounds for divorce in a no-fault framework, can be relevant in cases where marital funds were used to support the affair.
Mediation is mandatory in Hillsborough County for contested divorce cases before the matter can be set for trial. Most Tampa divorce cases — well over 90% — settle through mediation or negotiated agreement before reaching the courtroom. A divorce lawyer Tampa residents hire should therefore be as skilled in negotiation as in litigation, because the path to a favorable outcome almost always runs through settlement.
| Marriage Length | Maximum Alimony Duration (Post-HB 475) | Types Eligible |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 years | No alimony | Bridge-the-gap only (very limited) |
| 3–10 years (short-term) | Up to 50% of marriage length | Bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational |
| 10–20 years (moderate-term) | Up to 60% of marriage length | Bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational |
| 20+ years (long-term) | Up to 75% of marriage length | Bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational |
What to Look for in a Divorce Lawyer Tampa Residents Trust
A divorce lawyer Tampa clients rely on should have direct experience in Hillsborough County’s Family Law Division — not just familiarity with Florida statutes generally. Local knowledge of the judges, their preferences, and how they apply the discretionary provisions of HB 475 is a material advantage in negotiation and litigation.
Look for an attorney who is a member of the Florida Bar’s Family Law Section, which indicates a commitment to staying current on exactly the kind of legislative changes HB 475 represents. Board certification in marital and family law, offered by the Florida Bar, is the highest credential in this practice area.
Ask specifically how the attorney approaches alimony negotiations post-HB 475, particularly for long marriages near or over the 20-year mark. The 75% cap on durational alimony for marriages over 20 years leaves room for significant negotiating range — a skilled attorney will have a clear view of where a specific fact pattern falls within that range.
The Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with family law attorneys who offer initial consultations. Legal aid organizations also serve income-qualified residents in Hillsborough County, though availability for contested cases can be limited.
Find a Divorce Lawyer Tampa Families Count On
ReachAttorneys lists verified divorce and family law attorneys practicing throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County. Whether your case involves complex asset division, a contested alimony dispute under the post-HB 475 framework, or a custody and time-sharing matter, the right Tampa attorney is searchable by practice area and location.
For perspective on how Florida’s 2023 alimony reform compares to divorce law changes in other states, see our guide on how California’s 2026 divorce law changes are affecting San Diego cases.
Related Guides
- New CA Law Reshapes San Diego Divorce Cases in 2026 — how California’s divorce reforms compare to Florida’s
- New Florida Law Creates Criminal Risk for Miami Defendants — other major Florida legislative changes in 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get alimony if I was married for 25 years?
Yes. For marriages over 20 years, Florida courts can award durational alimony for up to 75% of the marriage length — so a 25-year marriage could result in up to 18 years and 9 months of support. The amount cannot exceed 35% of the income gap between spouses. The court still has discretion on both amount and duration within those caps.
How long does a divorce take in Tampa?
An uncontested divorce in Hillsborough County can be finalized in 30–90 days after the 20-day waiting period following service. Contested cases that require mediation and potentially trial can take 12–24 months or more, depending on the complexity of asset division and custody disputes. The court’s current docket load also affects scheduling.
Does Florida’s alimony reform affect existing alimony agreements?
HB 475 applies only to divorces filed after July 1, 2023. Existing alimony agreements and court orders from before that date remain in effect under the old framework — those payers do not automatically receive reductions. However, HB 475 does provide a new pathway to petition for modification based on reaching Social Security retirement age, which can apply to older existing orders.
How is child support calculated in Florida?
Florida uses an income shares model. Both parents’ incomes are combined, and the total child support obligation is calculated based on the number of children and combined income using statutory guidelines. The obligation is then apportioned between the parents based on each parent’s share of total income and the number of overnight timesharing days each parent has.
How much does a divorce lawyer in Tampa cost?
Uncontested divorces with no significant assets or disputes can be handled for $1,500–$4,000 flat in Hillsborough County. Contested divorces with alimony and asset disputes typically run $7,500–$30,000+, with costs scaling sharply if the case goes to trial. Mediation fees are separate, typically $200–$400 per hour split between the parties.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
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