What are the Different Types of Alimony in Florida?

Many people are aware that alimony, also known as spousal support, is awarded after divorce when one spouse requires financial assistance. However, it is a common misconception that alimony is paid indefinitely, or until the recipient remarries. While remarriage can terminate alimony payments, there are different types of alimony. They are all meant to address different situations and they all have different durations. Below are the different types of alimony in Florida.

Durational Alimony 

Durational alimony is intended to allow both spouses to maintain their same standard of living established during the marriage for a specific period of time. Durational alimony is not awarded if a marriage did not exceed three years. The length of time durational alimony is paid depends on the length of the marriage. If a marriage lasts less than seven years, durational alimony cannot exceed 50 percent of the marriage. When a marriage was considered to be of a moderate length, durational alimony cannot exceed 60 percent of the length of the marriage. After a long marriage, durational alimony cannot exceed 75 percent of the length of the marriage.

Rehabilitative Alimony 

Rehabilitative alimony is meant to help a spouse finish their education or develop employment skills that can help them rejoin the workforce. Rehabilitative alimony is awarded when one spouse has left the workforce to raise the children or maintain a household. Rehabilitative alimony cannot exceed five years. In order to obtain rehabilitative alimony, the recipient spouse must establish a plan of how they plan to use the support.

Bridge-the-Gap Alimony 

Bridge-the-gap alimony has one of the shortest durations. As its name suggests, this type of support is meant to bridge the gap between married and single life. Bridge-the-gap alimony is meant to help one spouse pay for short-term expenses. For example, if someone needs to find housing while they wait for the marital home to sell, they may be awarded bridge-the-gap alimony to cover their expenses in the meantime.

Temporary Alimony 

Temporary alimony has the shortest duration of all the different types of support. Temporary alimony is awarded to spouses who need assistance with short-term expenses. For example, temporary alimony is often paid to help a lower-earning spouse pay their legal fees associated with a divorce. As soon as the divorce is finalized, temporary alimony is terminated.

Lump Sum vs. Periodic Alimony 

Any type of alimony can be paid using a lump sum or periodic payments. Periodic payments are usually paid on a monthly basis and this is the most common arrangement. On the other hand, lump sum alimony is paid all at once. It is important to know that when alimony is paid in a lump sum, it is not possible to modify the order in the future.

Call Our Spousal Support Lawyer in Orlando for Help Today 

At Anderson & Ferrin, P.A., our Orlando spousal support lawyer can advise on whether you are eligible to receive alimony, or if you will be required to pay it. We can help you through the process and prepare a strong case in order to help you obtain the most favorable outcome. Call us today at 407-412-7041 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with our attorney and to get the legal help you need.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.08.html