Do I Still Have To Pay My Ex Money If We Were Never Married?

According to The Hill, marriage rates in the United States have declined sharply since the start of the 21st century, with a drop of about 25%. This has led many to forecast a future where there are more unmarried Americans than married ones. Many partners place less importance on marriage today, and many choose to have children without first “tying the knot.” So how will current divorce laws work in a future where there are no married couples? Will the entire concept of divorce become obsolete? Perhaps more importantly, what kind of financial concerns should you be aware of if you’re breaking up with a long-term partner whom you never married?

To find reliable answers, you really need to get in touch with a qualified, experienced divorce attorney in Florida. These legal professionals can assess your unique situation during a consultation. From there, they’ll offer targeted, personalized legal advice that will help you take positive steps forward. While the lack of a valid marriage can eliminate certain financial obligations, there are many “gray areas” to consider in this situation. It’s best to book your consultation as soon as possible for best results.

Palimony in Florida 

First of all, it’s worth pointing out that Florida does not recognize the legal concept known as “palimony.” This is spousal support that is provided even when no legal marriage took place. Recognition of palimony is exceedingly rare across the United States, which is of course good news for anyone who has recently broken up with a long-term, financially-dependent partner. On the other hand, you might see this situation as incredibly unfair if you find yourself on the other side of that equation.

Under very specific circumstances, palimony may be possible in Florida – but this is only really the case when both spouses have signed some kind of agreement that is recognized by the court.

Child Support is Always Necessary 

Even if spouses were never married, child support is still necessary. This is definitely something to keep in mind if you’re going through a breakup of a long-term relationship with children involved. In fact, the relationship could be short or non-existent, and the higher-earning spouse would still be required to pay child support to the other parent.

Invalid Marriages 

In some cases, spouses who think they were married find out that the marriage was never actually valid. For example, they may have forgotten to sign the marriage contract or file some important paperwork. The actual marriage might have been “traditional” or conducted in a way that is religiously valid but not legally so.

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today 

If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced Orlando divorce attorney, contact Steve Marsee, P.A. We know that times are changing in the United States today, and marriage is significantly less common than it once was. The legal world is adapting, and we can help you strive for the best possible financial results – whether you were married or not. Book your consultation today, and you can get started with an effective action plan as soon as possible.

Sources: 

thehill.com/opinion/finance/567107-the-end-of-marriage-in-america/#:~:text=Since%20the%20start%20of%20the,per%201%2C000%20population%20in%202019.

nytimes.com/2021/10/20/opinion/marriage-decline-america.html