Orlando Alimony Attorney
In a divorce, there are many elements that need to be discussed. One of them is alimony. Alimony refers to court-ordered payments from one spouse to another. Alimony was created in a time when one spouse would work full-time while the other would stay home and care for the children. It may seem outdated to some, but there are still many women (and men) who sacrifice their careers to care for children. Alimony is there to help them financially should they ever divorce.
Alimony is not required in every divorce, but it is often used when there is a discrepancy in income from one to another. This helps the party with the lower income adjust to the financial adjustments involved in a divorce.
Are you eligible for alimony? Will you have to pay it in a divorce? Orlando alimony attorney Steve W. Marsee, P.A. Attorney at Law can assess your case and help you understand your legal rights and obligations.
Who is Eligible for Alimony?
Alimony is based on various factors, including:
- Length of the marriage
- Standard of living established during the marriage
- Each spouse’s age
- Each spouse’s physical and mental health
- Income and financial resources of each spouse
- Each spouse’s education and earning capacity
- Each spouse’s contributions to the marriage
- Each spouse’s parental responsibilities to minor children
- Any tax consequences of alimony
Types of Alimony
Florida provides five types of alimony:
- Perhaps the most common type of alimony in Florida is rehabilitative support. Rehabilitative support is given to a spouse who can become self-supporting but needs time and money to develop skills and education. There must be a defined rehabilitative plan for the court to review.
- Temporary support is given to a spouse who demonstrates a need for money during the divorce proceedings. However, the other spouse must have the ability to pay. Temporary support ends when the divorce is finalized.
- Bridge-the-gap. An uncommon form of alimony, bridge-the-gap alimony helps a spouse meet short-term needs while transitioning from married to single. It lasts for no longer than two years.
- Durational alimony gives a spouse financial help for a set period of time. The support may not last longer than the marriage.
- A rare form of alimony, permanent alimony is typically reserved for spouses who are older or disabled. It lasts until one of the spouses dies.
Spouses can negotiate the terms of the alimony award on their own, but if they cannot come to an agreement, the judge will make a decision for you.
Contact Us Today
Alimony is a hot topic in family law. Of course, people love receiving it, but nobody likes paying it. In fact, many opponents believe Florida is in need of alimony reform.
Until then, there are many types of alimony to choose from. Are you eligible? Orlando alimony attorney Steve W. Marsee, P.A. Attorney at Law can help you understand the laws that apply. He is experienced and driven to succeed. To schedule a consultation, call 407-521-7171 or fill out the online form.
