Whether you had an idea your spouse was considering filing for divorce or you were completely blindsided by their decision, this can be an incredibly overwhelming matter. Not only do you have to mourn the loss of one of the most important relationships in your life, but this is also an incredibly complicated legal process that can have serious impacts on your finances. If you’re unsure how alimony works or what the different options are in Florida, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll also discover the importance of working with Tampa alimony lawyers to help you navigate these complicated matters.

What Is Alimony, and How Is It Determined?

Alimony, also commonly referred to as spousal support or spousal maintenance, is a type of support payment made from one spouse to another during or after a divorce. The goal of these payments is to help the recipient spouse following the divorce as they become financially independent and able to support themselves.

There is a common misconception that alimony payments are automatically awarded to the lower-earning spouse. In reality, you’ll find that a spouse who wishes to receive alimony must include this in the divorce petition. Even so, the courts will examine several circumstances to determine if spousal support is necessary, and if so, how much the payments should be. Common factors the courts will consider include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The age and health of each spouse
  • The income and earning capacity of each spouse
  • The standard of living established during the marriage
  • If one spouse sacrifices their career to raise a family or support the other spouse
  • Any training or education needed for a spouse to re-enter the workforce
  • The state of the job market at the time of the divorce

Are There Different Kinds of Spousal Support in Florida?

As the courts examine the need for spousal support in Florida, they will also determine how long the payments should last. As such, there are four different types of alimony the courts may order during a divorce.

The first is “bridge-the-gap” alimony, which serves to help a spouse for a specific, limited duration of time. This cannot extend for more than two years, and once the payment amount has been determined, it cannot be altered. Similarly, the courts can award rehabilitative alimony, which is in place to help a spouse who must go through training or education in order to obtain employment after a divorce.

You can also receive durational alimony, which is a more general form of spousal support that can last a longer amount of time than bridge-the-gap or rehabilitative support. Finally, in less common circumstances, you may receive permanent alimony, which means that you lack the ability to support yourself following a divorce, typically awarded in marriages that lasted an extended period.

Fighting to ensure spousal support is fair is critical, regardless of whether you are the paying or the recipient spouse. As such, having an experienced family law attorney on your side when going through a divorce is critical. At Tampa Law Group, we can help you fight for the best possible outcome from your divorce, from assisting you in filing necessary paperwork to protecting your rights during this process. When you need help, do not hesitate to contact our firm today.