Questions often arise about alimony and child support payments during divorce proceedings. These payments aim to help spouses adjust to single life and become self-supporting after a divorce. While some couples can negotiate alimony terms on their own, most need a family law attorney like Frank P. Remsen, P.A., to assist them through the process. Learn more about alimony payments below.
What is alimony?
Alimony is a court-ordered payment from one spouse to another after or during divorce proceedings. Alimony payments may be granted in temporary and permanent situations to make the transition from married life to single life easier. Either spouse can request alimony payments. A court will determine whether the requesting spouse has the financial need and whether the other spouse can afford to make this regular payment.
Types of alimony
Florida offers five different types of alimony that encompass a variety of financial situations. Here are the instances when they may be utilized:
Temporary
Temporary alimony covers expenses for a low-earning spouse while the divorce is finalized. This type of alimony ensures the needy spouse stays financially stable during the months of the divorce hearings.
Rehabilitative
Rehabilitative alimony is one of the most common types. This type of alimony is a temporary payment made for a certain length of time after a divorce is finalized to help a lower-earning spouse become self-supporting. Rehabilitative support may cover education expenses, job training, and bills while a spouse seeks living arrangements and full-time employment. The requesting spouse will need to present the court with a detailed plan for self-support to qualify for this type of payment.
Bridge the gap
Florida is one of a few states to offer this type of alimony payment. Bridge the gap alimony is put in place to help ease the needy spouse’s transition from two incomes to one. This alimony can cover living expenses and things like furniture for the spouse’s new living arrangements. Bridge the gap alimony can also cover bills for the family home while a spouse attempts to sell the property. It is possible to combine this alimony with other types of payments. This type of alimony can be made for two years maximum. It becomes void if the needy spouse remarries.
Durational
Durational alimony is similar to rehabilitative alimony, but the spouse is not required to submit a self-support plan to the court. Durational alimony cannot last longer than the couple’s marriage.
Permanent
This type of alimony is more common in longer-term marriages (ones that lasted more than 17 years) and senior couples. The requesting spouse will need to show that they will require assistance for the rest of their lives and cannot become self-supporting due to a disability or other situation that interferes with their ability to seek gainful employment.
How are alimony payments determined?
The judge will consider various factors when determining alimony payments and their duration. This includes how long the couple was married, the earning potential of the requesting spouse, the standard of living the couple enjoyed while married, and financial assets.
Remsen Law: family law attorney in Lake County
Our experienced family law attorney can help you navigate requesting alimony and other financial assistance after a marriage dissolves. Learn more about other family law topics on our blog. If you have questions about your divorce case, call our offices at 352-309-0970.
