I was married 25 years and never worked. What can I expect?

A long marriage supports a substantial claim, now framed as durational rather than permanent alimony. The amount depends on the marital standard of living, your reasonable needs and your spouse's ability to pay.

I am retiring. Does my alimony obligation drop?

Possibly. The court looks at whether the retirement is reasonable in age and circumstances, and at the income and assets still available to you. It is not automatic.

What happens to my health insurance?

Coverage through a spouse's plan typically ends at divorce. Continuation coverage and its cost should be priced and negotiated as part of the settlement rather than discovered afterward.

Boca Raton, Florida - Palm Beach County

Boca Raton Divorce and Alimony Attorney

Long-marriage divorces where support, retirement income and lifestyle are the whole case.

Boca Raton brings a distinct pattern: longer marriages, one spouse who left the workforce years ago, and a standard of living built on retirement income, investments or executive compensation. Under Florida's revised alimony statute, the length of the marriage determines the type and maximum duration of support, which makes these cases about categories and numbers rather than fault.

Retirement changes the analysis on both sides. A payor approaching or already in retirement can raise reduced income, but the court examines whether the retirement is reasonable and what income and assets remain available. A recipient's own Social Security, pension and investment income counts toward need. Getting both sides of that ledger documented is the work.

Health and insurance drive the rest. After a long marriage, coverage for a spouse who is not yet Medicare-eligible is often the most urgent practical issue in the case, and it belongs in the negotiation from the start.

Palm Beach County support practice

Boca Raton cases are heard in Palm Beach County, in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Family matters proceed at the main judicial complex in West Palm Beach or at the county's south regional courthouse, depending on assignment.
The court determines need and ability to pay, then the type of alimony: temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative or durational. Permanent alimony was eliminated in 2023.
Durational alimony length is limited by reference to the length of the marriage, with the statute treating short, moderate and long-term marriages differently.
Sworn financial affidavits and full disclosure are required from both spouses, including retirement, investment and deferred compensation.
Retirement, remarriage and supportive relationships are recognized bases to revisit an award later.

Boca Raton questions we hear

For the full statewide overview of this area of law, see our alimony page.