Florida Divorce Law

Attorneys That Help With Alimony and Spousal Support Issues in Florida

If you are getting divorced in Florida and cannot come to a decision with your spouse regarding alimony and spousal support, the court will order support on a case by case basis, either in periodic payments, a lump sum, or a combination of both.

Generally, the more equal the parties are financially, the less likely it is for spousal support to be awarded. If you think you might be eligible for spousal support in Florida, you should seek the advice of the The Law Patriot, attorneys experienced in Florida divorce and support guidelines. Factors that Florida courts typically consider when awarding spousal support include:

• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The length of the marriage
• The age and health of the spouses
• The financial resources of each party
• If applicable, the time necessary for either party to obtain education and training to become employed
• The contribution of each party to the marriage
• All sources of income available to either spouse

Alimony is only paid in divorce cases – Florida does not recognize palimony, which is support paid when someone is not married. There are six types of spousal support allowed in Florida, including:

• Temporary, awarded while the divorce is pending
• Bridge-the-Gap, which can cover the costs of going from a married to a single life, such as buying a car or renting an apartment
• Rehabilitative, awarded to help a spouse achieve financial independence
• Durational, provides assistance for a set period of time for marriages that lasted one to seven years
• Permanent, provided for a lifetime or until remarriage
• Lump-sum, a one-time award to provide support or offset inequities in asset distribution

Other Considerations

While alimony paid in Florida, it is taxable to the party who receives it, and deductible to the party who pays it. When considering a settlement, this tax deduction should be taken into account to assess the true cost of the payment. Under Florida law, the court may also order a spouse who is paying alimony to purchase or maintain a life insurance policy or a bond, or to otherwise secure an alimony award if he dies before the obligated support period ends.

The Law Patriot in Stuart, Florida can advise you regarding all issues surrounding alimony and spousal support in the state. Contact us for advice regarding divorce and spousal support.