Can You Still Get Alimony in Fort Lauderdale if You Remarry?
Remarriage is a fresh start, but it comes with financial consequences that couples often don’t fully anticipate. If you are receiving alimony in Fort Lauderdale and considering getting remarried, or if you are paying alimony and your former spouse has recently remarried, you need to understand exactly how Florida law handles this situation.
The answer is not always as straightforward as you might think. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale alimony lawyer explains how remarriage affects alimony payments and the steps to protect your financial interests.
How Remarriage Impacts Fort Lauderdale Alimony Payments
Section 61.08 of the Florida Statutes outlines four types of alimony that may be awarded in a Fort Lauderdale divorce case. These are temporary, durational, bridge-the-gap, and rehabilitative alimony. The specific type matters when determining the impact of remarrying on alimony payments:
- Bridge-the-gap alimony ends automatically upon the recipient’s remarriage, with no exceptions.
- Durational alimony ends automatically upon the recipient’s remarriage, regardless of how much time remains in the award.
- Rehabilitative alimony does not automatically terminate upon remarriage, but can be modified if remarriage creates a substantial change in the recipient’s finances.
- Temporary alimony, paid during the divorce proceedings, ends once the divorce is final, making remarriage largely irrelevant.
For bridge-the-gap and durational alimony, the paying spouse does not need to return to court to terminate payments, although filing a motion to confirm the termination and stop payments through the proper channels is always prudent. For other types of alimony, keep in mind that modification takes effect from the date you file your petition, not from the date of the remarriage itself.
Can You Still Get Alimony in Fort Lauderdale If You Live Together Without Remarrying?
Rather than remarriage, which ends alimony, some people choose to live with a new partner to preserve their support payments. Under Florida Statute Section 61.14, the spouse paying alimony can request termination of payments if their former partner has entered into a supportive relationship, even without a formal marriage.
A “supportive relationship” generally means two adults living together and functioning similarly to a married couple. Factors courts examine in these cases include:
- Whether the couple shares a primary residence on a continuing and permanent basis.
- Whether they also share living expenses, such as rent, utilities, or other household costs.
- How the new partner contributes financially to the recipient’s household or overall expenses.
- How the couple presents themselves publicly.
- Whether the recipient reduced their working hours or income in reliance on the new partner’s financial support.
If your former spouse is living with a new partner and your alimony obligation continues to drain your finances, you may be entitled to modifications.
Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Alimony Lawyer
Remarriage and supportive relationships can dramatically change your alimony picture. To find out how the law applies in your specific case, contact experienced Fort Lauderdale alimony lawyer Vanessa L. Prieto.
Our office provides the trusted legal guidance you need to protect your rights when it comes to alimony payments and other divorce-related matters. Request a consultation today.
Sources:
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0061.08
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/61.14
