Important Things To Know About Alimony In Florida

Divorce will have an impact on every area of your life, including your finances. Not only can the divorce process be expensive in itself, but you may also wonder how you will support yourself, or if a judge will order you to pay alimony. Spousal support is one of the most contentious issues in divorce, and it is also largely misunderstood. Below, our Orlando spousal support lawyer explains what you need to know.

Financial Dependents are Generally Awarded Alimony

The purpose of alimony is to ensure that both parties can financially support themselves after divorce. Support is generally awarded when one spouse does not earn an income, or earns an income that is far lower than their partner. If one person relied on the other to financially support them during the marriage, the court will generally award alimony. A judge will also determine whether to award monthly alimony payments, or alimony as a lump sum.

There are Different Types of Alimony

There are four different types of alimony recognized under Florida law. The first is known as bridge-the-gap, which allows a person to receive support for a certain period of time, such as until the marital home sells. Rehabilitative alimony is very specific and is meant to allow one spouse to obtain the education and training necessary to position themselves better financially. Durational and permanent alimony are the last two types of alimony and are awarded depending on the length of the marriage.

The Courts Consider the Length of the Marriage

Again, the length of the marriage plays a large role in alimony decisions. Durational alimony is awarded when the marriage was of a short or moderate length. Permanent alimony is not as common, but when two people get divorced after a long marriage, it is possible.

Adultery is Not Always Considered

Many people fear that if they were unfaithful in their marriage, they will be forced to pay huge amounts of alimony. In Florida, this is not true. Florida is a no-fault divorce state and so, fault is not considered when granting a divorce. Fault is also not usually considered when the court makes decisions about alimony, either. However, there are times when adultery may impact alimony decisions, such as when marital funds were spent on the affair.

Certain Actions Can Stop Payments

Life is full of changes, and some of these can end alimony payments. If either party passes away, alimony payments immediately stop. Additionally, if the recipient remarries or cohabitates with a romantic partner, that can also end alimony payments.

Call Our Spousal Support Lawyer in Orlando for Help with Your Case

If you are going through a divorce and need to request alimony, or defend against unfair claims for it, our Orlando spousal support lawyer can help. At Anderson & Ferrin, our seasoned attorneys will always protect your best interests and give you the best chance of a favorable outcome. Call us now at 407-412-7041 or reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

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

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