There are serious financial ramifications tied to the outcome of your divorce. If you’re not careful, then you could end up missing out on the financial resources that you need for post-divorce stability. We don’t want that to happen to you, which is why this week on the blog we want to take a look at how alimony works in Florida so that you know how to build legal arguments to support the outcome that you need.
What types of alimony can be awarded?
Florida law allows for the recovery of up to four types of alimony. They are:
- Bridge the gap alimony, which is meant to help one of the spouses with identifiable short-term needs. This assists the receiving spouse in transitioning to head of household status. You’ll also have to show that your spouse is able to pay for those needs.
- Rehabilitative alimony, which is targeted at providing the receiving spouse with support until he or she becomes financially independent.
- Durational alimony, which only lasts for a specific period of time.
- Permanent alimony, which lasts indefinitely and is usually intended for older individuals who have been in a long-term marriage.
Remember, you may be able to seek one or more of these types of alimony, so be diligent as you consider the best way to seek the financial support that you need post-divorce.
How are alimony determinations made?
When considering whether to award alimony and figuring out how much to award if spousal support is warranted, the court will consider a number of relevant factors. Amongst them are each of the following:
- The length of the marriage
- The standard of living that was enjoyed during the marriage
- Each spouse’s earnings capacity
- Sacrifices made during the marriage
- Financial and non-financial contributions made to the family during the marriage
- The responsibilities that each spouse will have as far as child rearing is concerned once the divorce is finalized
- How an alimony award will create tax implications for the parties
- Any and all sources of income available to each party
That may seem like a lot of information that the court can take into consideration, but it really just scratches the surface since the court is also allowed to take any other factors that it determines relevant into account. Therefore, as you work to build your spousal support case, make sure that you’re using everything you can to your advantage.
Gathering evidence
To support an alimony request, you’re going to need evidence. This may come in the form of financial records, your own testimony, and records that demonstrate how you’ve been responsible for taking care of your children. Also, don’t make the mistake of minimizing the sacrifices that you’ve made during your marriage. This can put you at a severe disadvantage when the court considers your request.
Do you need an attorney on your side?
Dealing with the complexities of a spousal support dispute can be stressful and confusing. But don’t let that deter you from aggressively pursuing the financial support that you want. Instead, you might want to consider having a legal ally on your side who can help you assess the situation, gather evidence, and craft and present the persuasive arguments that you want to present to the judge.
If you’re interested in having that kind of advocacy on your side, then now may be the time for you to reach out to a law firm that you’ve researched and feel will adequately represent your interests.