In Florida, alimony is paid by one spouse or another, to ensure that the receiving spouse is not left disadvantaged following a divorce. Generally, the courts will ask that the spouse with the higher income provide alimony to the lesser-earning spouse.
Understanding the Different Types of Alimony
One spouse may not be able to provide for him or herself after the divorce. He or she may have grown accustomed to a particular lifestyle or standard of living that was shared during the marriage. After divorce, however, the spouse will need to create a new life for him or himself, an adjustment that can often be quite difficult. Alimony allows that spouse the means to adjust to a new lifestyle.
The courts will consider the following factors when deciding alimony:
- How long the marriage lasted
- The standard of living that the couple shared while married
- The financial resources that each spouse possesses
- The income of each spouse, as well as educational level, credential, skills, and ability to gain employment
- How much each spouse is able to contribute to child care
- The tax benefits that each spouse is entitled to receive
There are also five different types of alimony:
- Bridge-the-gap
- Lump-sum
- Nominal
- Rehabilitative
- Permanent
Permanent alimony, as an example, will be paid to the spouse until that spouse remarries or passes away. This is typically awarded in circumstances where a spouse will experience tremendously significant changes. The courts will decide based on what will benefit the lesser-earning spouse most, and also what will provide the most for the children as well.
If you need assistance with filing for alimony or working out the terms of your spousal support with the courts, let our firm handle your case. We are compassionate and accessible, and we are also aggressive in and out of the courtroom to ensure that your needs are met. We work with our clients on a personal level but also stand firm for you in court to advocate for your best interests.
