Alimony Lawyer Neptune Beach

Alimony is the financial assistance one spouse gives to the other during and after divorce. In the state of Florida, a wife or husband may be eligible to receive alimony payments. Other names for alimony include maintenance or spousal support. 

Determining if you are entitled to any form of alimony or support depends on your situation and circumstances. If you are awarded spousal support or alimony, it can impact your life and the lives of your family after the divorce. 

Because of this, you must get in touch with Griffin Family Law, serving Neptune Beach and surrounding areas. Mr. Griffin has extensive experience helping with spousal support matters in family law and divorce cases. We can help you create a legal strategy to handle these complex situations. 

Factors Used to Determine Spousal Support or Alimony Amounts in Florida 

The courts in Florida will decide to award alimony once the parties’ financial needs are determined. The courts have the discretion to base support on the family’s needs. Some of the factors that the Florida courts will consider when determining alimony amounts and who should receive alimony include:

• The parties’ financial resources
• How long the marriage lasted
• Age, emotional and physical condition of both parties
• The skills and earning capacity of each party
• The contribution of each party to the marriage, including child-rearing and helping with building the career of the other party
• The standard of living experienced throughout the marriage

Florida has also started to recognize the responsibilities of each party after the divorce to the children they had in the marriage and the tax consequences for both parties that results from the alimony payments awarded. 

Alimony Types Awarded in Florida 

In Florida, there are several types of alimony, which include:

• Permanent alimony. Usually given in marriages that have lasted for 17 years or more. 
• Temporary alimony. This is a non-permanent award that is typically given during the divorce process. 
• Rehabilitative alimony. One spouse wants to finish their education or engage in more job training to make themselves more employable. 
• Durational alimony. With this, alimony is given for a monthly period that does not last longer than the total length of your marriage. 
• Transitional or bridge-the-gap alimony. A shorter-term solution of alimony that lets one spouse have time to transition from married life to single life. 

Common Questions about Florida Alimony

Some of the most common questions we are asked related to alimony awards and payments in Florida include:

How long will you receive alimony payments?

In the state of Florida, permanent alimony is rare except in long term marriages. This is because the courts want to ensure that high-income earners don’t have to assume the financial responsibility for a capable ex-spouse for the remainder of their lives. Instead, Florida lawmakers have set up several different types of alimony, which all vary in duration. 

Today, there are three non-permanent alimony types awarded in Florida. These include durational alimony, rehabilitative alimony, and bridge-the-gap alimony. The type of alimony that a judge awards determines how long you receive it and the conditions of receiving these payments. 

Can your ex-spouse cohabitate with someone and still get alimony?

If you were the main income earner when you were married in Florida, then you probably understand the challenges that your ex-spouse is now facing in working to maintain the same standard of living after the divorce. Due to this understanding, you may not have a problem providing spousal support while transitioning and making their way financially after a divorce. 

However, you don’t want them to take advantage of you or the situation. However, this could be what they try to do. They may even refuse to remarry just to continue receiving your support. 

The spouse’s goal in this situation is to keep you obligated to them and continue receiving your alimony payments. However, the courts and lawmakers do not want alimony to be abused. Because of this, there are statutes in Florida that let you end the alimony obligations you have if your ex-spouse enters into a supportive relationship with someone else (i.e., a romantic partner). 

Call Our Florida Alimony Attorney Today

When it comes to alimony in Florida, more than a few laws, requirements and factors must be considered. Contact Griffin Family Law to protect your rights. We will fight for you and help you understand the situation and when you should receive or pay alimony. 

Contact us today to get started and have your alimony situation worked out. We will help you understand your legal rights and ensure that the alimony awarded is fair.