Alimony, or spousal maintenance, refers to payments that one spouse makes to another following a divorce petition. According to Online Sunshine, the court considers a variety of factors when calculating a fair alimony arrangement, including the standard of living that both parties experienced, the duration of the marriage, and the earning capacity of each partner.
There are several kinds of alimony in the state of Florida, and each serves a specific purpose. If you are considering divorce and you want to discuss the possibility of securing an alimony arrangement, turn to Sandy B Becher PA.
Sandy B. Becher has been providing exceptional legal representation for more than two decades. Call 305-860-5811 to schedule an initial consultation with a divorce attorney in Miami.
Read on to learn more about the six kinds of alimony in Florida:
- Permanent Alimony
As of 2017, Florida is one of a handful of states that still awards permanent alimony. This kind of financial arrangement is essentially in place until one of the spouses dies or the recipient spouse remarries.
Family judges are more likely to order a permanent arrangement to couples who have been married for more than 17 years. In some circumstances, though, the court may order permanent alimony to a couple that has been married for less than seven years.
Such an arrangement typically only occurs in exceptional circumstances. For example, a spouse who has developed an incurable disease or sustained debilitating injuries may be eligible for permanent alimony after just a few years of marriage if the other spouse has the means to provide it.
- Rehabilitative Alimony
The court typically awards rehabilitative alimony to couples who have been married for up to 17 years. This kind of financial arrangement aims to help the recipient establish the ability to earn a living by either going to school or enrolling in some kind of occupational training program.
- Durational Alimony
Durational alimony provides one spouse with financial assistance for a predetermined period of time. Unlike rehabilitative alimony, you do not have to present a concrete plan for increasing your earning capacity when seeking durational alimony.
- Bridge-the-Gap Alimony
Bridge-the-gap alimony is exactly what it sounds like: a payment arrangement that lasts no more than two years and eases the transition for the recipient from marriage to a single-income home.
- Temporary Alimony
The court may award temporary alimony to an individual who needs financial assistance from the time that the couple files the dissolution of marriage petition to the time that the divorce is finalized.
- Lump Sum Alimony
Lump sum alimony refers to a single payment. The court may apply this arrangement as a way to provide financial support for one party, or to equalize the distribution of assets.
If you are considering divorce and you want to protect your financial interests during the proceedings, turn to Sandy B Becher PA. Call 305-860-5811 to schedule an initial consultation with a family lawyer in Miami. You can learn more about divorce law in Florida by visiting USAttorneys.com.
