Alimony in Florida: Amounts, Types, and How to Apply

by James Simpson

Joined Apr 2023
Published Books 1

In general, there are four types of alimony recognized under Florida law: bridge-the-gap alimony, rehabilitative alimony, durational alimony and permanent periodic alimony.

Bridge-the-gap alimony provides short-term support for up to two years while the receiving spouse transitions from being married to being single.

Rehabilitative alimony is designed to help the receiving spouse acquire new skills or education needed for employment opportunities leading towards self-sufficiency.

Durational alimonies provide support for a set period of time but not longer than the duration of marriage itself.

Permanent periodic maintenance refers specifically long-term situations where an individual has been unable work due age or disability factors prohibiting them from achieving self-support status; however this type of award usually only applies in exceptional cases such as long term marriages with significant disparities between parties’ earning capacities where other forms would prove inadequate.

Factors that determine the amount and duration of alimony

When determining the amount and duration of spousal support in Florida, several factors are considered. One important factor is the length of the marriage. Generally speaking, shorter marriages will result in lower amounts and durations of alimony payments than longer marriages.

Another key factor is each spouse’s earning capacity and financial resources. If one spouse has significantly more income or assets than the other, they may be required to pay a higher amount of spousal support for a longer period.

The court also considers the standard of living established during the marriage when deciding on an appropriate amount and duration for alimony payments. The goal is typically to ensure that both spouses can maintain a similar standard of living after divorce as they did during their marriage.

Other factors that may be taken into account include each spouse’s age, health, education level, work experience, contributions to the marriage (including child-rearing), and any other relevant circumstances unique to each case. It’s important to consult with an experienced attorney who can help you navigate these complex issues and advocate for your best interests throughout your divorce proceedings.

Temporary vs permanent alimony

Permanent alimony in Florida is intended to provide ongoing financial support for a former spouse who cannot meet their needs through other means. The purpose of this type of award is to maintain the standard of living established during marriage for both parties post-divorce. Courts generally only award permanent alimony in cases where one party was financially dependent on the other and lacks sufficient income or resources to achieve self-sufficiency.

The decision between temporary versus permanent alimony ultimately depends on several factors such as length of marriage, earning capacity, contributions made by each spouse during marriage among others which are evaluated on case-by-case basis under Florida’s family law statutes governing such issues; consulting with experienced legal counsel can assist you understand your options when seeking spousal maintenance awards based upon unique circumstance surrounding your case.

How to request for alimony during divorce proceedings

If you are going through a divorce in Florida and believe that you may be entitled to alimony, it’s important to understand how the process works. The first step is to file your divorce forms online with the court and include a request for alimony in your petition. This will initiate the legal proceedings and allow you to present evidence supporting your claim for spousal support.

During the discovery phase of your case, both parties will be required to disclose their financial information including income, expenses, assets, and debts. This information will be used by the court to determine whether or not an award of alimony is appropriate under Florida law.

If you are seeking alimony in Florida but do not have sufficient funds available for legal representation, there are resources available that can help. Many local bar associations offer pro bono or reduced fee legal services for those who cannot afford an attorney on their own. Legal Aid organizations provide free legal assistance and representation to low-income individuals facing family law issues such as alimony disputes during divorce proceedings. Additionally, you can also explore online resources such as https://floridaonlinedivorce.com, which provides affordable online divorce services for those seeking alimony in Florida without the means for traditional legal representation.

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