Tampa ALIMONY Lawyer

ALIMONY/SPOUSAL SUPPORT
LAWYERS

 

If you’re getting divorced in Florida, you have a lot of issues to confront. When spousal incomes aren’t equitable, or one spouse is unable to support themselves following divorce, the court may order alimony. You might wonder how much these payments will be or how long they will last. The answer is: it depends.

If alimony is going to be a factor in your divorce, it’s imperative to have a qualified Florida divorce attorney on your side. Whether you’ll be paying alimony or expect to receive it, Florida has no hard mathematical calculations for this benefit.

At Busciglio Sheridan & Schoeb, we understand how alimony in Florida works, and we will fight for your best interests. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation to discuss your situation.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ALIMONY IN A FLORIDA DIVORCE

Alimony payments in Florida are meant to level the playing field between two divorcing spouses. An important factor in awarding alimony is the length of the marriage. These are broken down into short-term (less than ten years), moderate-term (10-20 years), and long-term (20 or more years).

The types of alimony awarded in Florida serve different purposes. If you are divorcing, here are the different types of alimony that might be awarded:

  • Bridge-the-Gap alimony is paid for a short period to assist the receiving spouse with the transition from married to single life. The length of such an award cannot exceed two years. While some types of alimony can be modified if circumstances change, this one is not eligible for modification.

  • Similar to Bridge-the-Gap Alimony, Rehabilitative Alimony is meant to help the receiving spouse regain the ability for self-support. There must be some plan in place to achieve the self-support goal, such as returning to school or opening a business. The spouse seeking this type of alimony has the burden of proof to show that it is necessary and how it will achieve the desired goal.

  • Durational alimony is meant to provide the receiving spouse with financial support for an established period following a marriage lasting a short or moderate duration. This type of alimony will immediately cease upon the death of either spouse or the remarriage of the receiving spouse. It is also modifiable if there is a substantial change in circumstances.

  • Permanent alimony is alimony that is paid to support an ex-spouse with no termination date. However, payments will immediately cease upon the death of either spouse or the remarriage of the receiving spouse. It is another type of alimony that is modifiable if a change in circumstances is significant.

  • Just as it sounds, a lump sum alimony award is paid in a single installment. This type of alimony is only approved by the court when there are special circumstances, such as the paying spouse being in poor health.

  • Nominal alimony is possible in cases where the court finds that a spouse is entitled to support, but there aren’t sufficient resources available at the time of the trial to award an amount sufficient to meet the receiving spouse’s needs. The nominal amount is awarded, and the court retains jurisdiction to modify the award in the future.

OTHER FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ALIMONY AWARDS

If you believe that you are eligible for alimony or are the breadwinner and think that your spouse may not be entitled to the benefit, it’s vital that you speak with a knowledgeable divorce attorney about your situation. Busciglio Sheridan & Schoeb explains your options and helps build the strongest case possible on your behalf.

Some of the factors the court will consider when deciding whether or not to award alimony include:

  • The standard of living enjoyed by each spouse during the marriage;

  • The economic standing of each spouse, including non-marital and marital assets being retained or distributed during the divorce and any outstanding debts;

  • The contributions of each spouse during the marriage relative to finances, child care, homemaking, education, career, and building a business;

  • How long the marriage lasted;

  • The age of each spouse; and

  • Any physical or emotional impairments a spouse might have that would limit their earning capacity or influence their needs.

Alimony isn’t meant to punish one party, but a judge can consider bad behavior such as adultery when granting an award. Because judges have such discretion, it’s important that you approach alimony with a clear strategy and work with your attorney to justify your position.

CONSULT WITH AN EXPERIENCED FLORIDA ALIMONY ATTORNEY

If you’ve been served with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or are planning to file for divorce in Florida, the skilled family law attorneys at Busciglio Sheridan & Schoeb in Tampa are ready to protect your interests. We aggressively and steadfastly represent clients throughout the Tampa Bay area and are committed to achieving a just and fair resolution of your case.

We understand how stressful and challenging the divorce process can be and want to ease your mind as you prepare for this new chapter in your life. We offer a  consultation where we will learn about your goals and outline your legal options. Call us at 813-225-2695 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.

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