Jacksonville Alimony Lawyer
Help from a Knowledgeable Jacksonville Divorce Attorney
Alimony is the amount of financial support paid by one spouse to the other
both before and after their
divorce is final. The court considers many factors when determining whether to
award alimony, the amount which is to be paid, and the type of payment
which will be made.
Unlike some other states, Florida does not have standard calculations regarding
alimony, and the combination of factors which are used is unique to each
marriage, potentially making it quite a complex matter for the court to
decide. To speak with a Jacksonville divorce lawyer who has the skills
necessary to assist you,
contact Jason K.S. Porter, P.A. for experienced legal counsel and skilled guidance to help you secure
an alimony order which works in your favor.
Types of Alimony in a Florida Divorce Case
When pursuing alimony payments in a divorce, it is important to keep in
mind that there are many different forms of spousal support which can
be awarded based upon a variety of circumstances. Alimony is intended
to make it possible for a spouse who has been financially dependent during
the marriage to maintain an acceptable standard of living, and to ease
the transition back into single life. The two most basic forms of alimony
are permanent and temporary alimony. Following is a breakdown of the various
types of alimony:
Permanent alimony is typically only awarded in cases of long-term marriages which lasted
more than seventeen years, and is frequently awarded in cases where one
of the members did not work and does not have a source of reliable income.
Temporary alimony is somewhat trickier, as it can be awarded in many different ways.
Rehabilitative alimony is among the most common types, and is awarded to parties who are in need
of temporary assistance while getting back on their feet after a marriage.
To be awarded this type of alimony, one party would need to present to
the court a rehabilitative plan which outlines the steps that they are
going to take to achieve financial independence.
Durational alimony differs in that it is a new form of alimony created through changes made
to Florida family law in 2010. It is more geared towards those who were
involved in short or moderate term marriages.
Finally, there is what is known as
"bridge-the-gap" alimony . This lasts for no more than two years and serves to bridge between the
standard of living which has been established in the marriage and the
standard the recipient will be able to achieve in single life.
Determining Factors for Spousal Support
Unless you and your spouse are able to settle questions of spousal support
outside of the courtroom in an
uncontested divorce, the judge will be called upon to issue a ruling on the matter, and will
follow the guidelines as set out under
Florida Statutes §61.08 (2011), which includes factors such as:
- Length of the marriage
- Standard of living during the marriage
- Profession, education and current income of each spouse
- Contributions each spouse made to the marriage, both financial and otherwise
- Age, health and emotional status of each spouse
- Available assets and liabilities, both joint and individual
- Employment opportunities available to each spouse
Decisions made about alimony will have immediate and long-lasting effects
on both parties, largely determining whether you will be financially stable
as you begin this new chapter of your life. Whether you are being requested
to pay spousal support or if you need to receive payments, we want to
help you achieve a just and equitable outcome which will serve your best
interests and protect your future.
Contact a Jacksonville divorce attorney from Jason K.S. Porter, P.A. for trusted representation today!