Korey Leon Bales, Former Husband v. Jennifer Joan Bales, Former Wife

Summary

The Florida First District Court of Appeal held that the dissolution petition remained pending on July 1, 2023, when the statutory amendment eliminating permanent alimony took effect. The court reversed the final judgment awarding permanent alimony and remanded for further proceedings.

Holdings

1. A dissolution petition is pending for purposes of the July 1, 2023, amendment to section 61.08 when final judgment has not been rendered by the amendment's effective date; therefore, the permanent-alimony award could not stand under the amended statute.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the July 1, 2023, amendment to section 61.08, Florida Statutes, eliminating permanent alimony applied because the dissolution petition was still pending on the amendment's effective date.

Disposition

reversed_and_remanded