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Understanding alimony in Florida

On Behalf of | Jul 23, 2021 | Alimony, Divorce

You just got divorced, and now you are worried about how you’ll manage on your own without an income or job. If this is your case, you have the right to ask your ex for alimony, which is a periodic or a lump sum payment that will help you until you adjust to being single. In Florida, there are four different types of alimony. The type of alimony you’ll receive will depend on your marriage circumstances.

Determining alimony

The court will award you with alimony if your ex can afford it and if they consider that your situation requires it. Once the court decides that you need maintenance, they will look at the following factors to determine the exact amount that you’ll receive:

  • The standard of living you had during your marriage
  • The duration of the marriage
  • The age and physical condition of each party
  • The financial resources of each party
  • The earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills and employability of each party
  • The contribution of each party to the marriage (homemaking, childcare, education)
  • The responsibilities each party will have regarding the children
  • The tax treatment and consequences to both parties of any alimony award
  • The sources of income available to each party

How the marriage ended will also be an important factor in the court’s decision. For example, they may deny or reduce alimony to a person that committed adultery during the marriage.

The different types of alimony

There are four different types of alimony that the court can award you, depending on your marriage history and circumstances. The four different types of alimony are:

  • Bridge-the-gap alimony: assists a spouse while they make the transition from being married to being single. It’s focused on short-term needs, and it may not last more than 2 years.
  • Rehabilitative alimony: assists a spouse while they get the education or training necessary to develop employment skills and their capacity of self-support.
  • Durational alimony: provides the spouse with economic assistance for a set period. This type of alimony cannot exceed the length of the marriage and can end if the spouse receiving it remarries.
  • Permanent alimony: permanently provides for the needs of a spouse who lacks the financial ability to support themselves after the divorce. This type of alimony will end upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the party receiving the alimony.

After the type of alimony is set, your ex will have to make periodic or lump-sum deposits to your account.

 Your right to alimony

It is your right to get alimony if you need it. You don’t need to be afraid or embarrassed to ask for it. With alimony, you will be able to establish yourself financially and live trouble-free after your divorce.

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