The sad truth is that many marriages end in divorce. The emotions that end a marriage can be as hurtful as the loving feelings that bring a couple together.
The goal of alimony in Florida is avoiding an unfair financial burden on either you or your spouse. Each spouse has a right to a comfortable standard of living. It does not matter who brought the most money into the marriage.
Types of alimony
Your individual circumstances will determine the type of your alimony. Florida has a wide range of alimony settlements:
- Permanent alimony involves monthly or semi-monthly payments until the recipient remarries or dies
- Durational alimony involves monthly or semi-monthly payments for a limited time
- Lump-sum alimony is a one-time payment of either money or property
- Rehabilitative alimony helps a spouse develop work skills and financial independence and involves payments made for a limited time on a monthly or semi-monthly basis
- Bridge-the-gap alimony often is a lump-sum payment made so the recipient can buy a car and secure a place to live
Factors determining alimony
The court decides on alimony after dividing your assets and liabilities. It depends on many factors in addition to standards of living:
- Length of the marriage
- Age, physical and emotional condition of the ex-spouses
- Financial resources
- Income-earning capacity
- Assets each spouse receives in the settlement
- Employment education or training
- The value of homemaking, child-rearing and education and career support
- The fault of either spouse in the breakup of the marriage
Reaching an alimony agreement
It is possible for you and your spouse to reach an alimony agreement on your own. A court must review and approve the agreement. However, you may end up going head-to-head in a court battle to determine alimony.
Emotions will be running high, and accusations may go back and forth. The court environment can be toxic and stressful, but it is vital you make a strong presentation to secure your future.
