There is no doubt that a Florida divorce can be complicated with people experiencing a litany of concerns during the process. For those who are thinking about alimony and how much it will be, this can be a troublesome issue with severe financial ramifications. This is true for the prospective paying spouse and the spouse who will be receiving this support. Getting beyond these difficult times requires preparation and sound legal advice.
There are four types of alimony in Florida. The decision as to which will be awarded is contingent on the situation. Bridge-the-gap alimony is designed to let the receiving spouse get the payments for a certain time-period until he or she can make an effective adaptation from married life to single life. It is meant to address short-term requirements. It cannot go beyond two years. If either party dies or the receiving party remarries, the alimony will stop. Bridge-the-gap cannot be modified in any way.
Rehabilitative alimony is for the receiving party to reach a point where he or she can self-support. This can be accomplished with prior skills being redeveloped or the person getting a sufficient education and training that he or she can get a suitable job. Rehabilitative alimony requires that there be a clear plan to achieve a level of self-support. If there is a change in circumstances, the amount can be altered. If the receiving spouse does not adhere to the rules of the agreement to get adequate training or skills, the plan can be terminated.
Durational alimony will provide payments for a certain amount of time. This can be used in marriages of short, moderate or long duration. The alimony for a longer marriage will be based on the receiving spouse needing the support, but it is not necessary for there to be permanent alimony. This amount paid can be terminated or changed if there is found to be a substantial change in circumstances. The time-period can generally not be changed. It cannot go beyond the marriage length.
Finally, permanent alimony will provide for the receiving spouse for the remainder of his or her life. This is to provide the necessities of life from the marriage. The person who is receiving alimony must not have the financial wherewithal to support him or herself. It can be awarded for a marriage that was of any duration. However, for it to be awarded after a short marriage, there must be exceptional circumstances in place.
In a divorce, alimony is a persistent concern that can have a hefty financial cost for the paying spouse. The receiving spouse may worry about making ends meet. To have a full grasp on the different types of alimony and to address the factors that frequently arise in a divorce case, it is wise to consider having legal assistance from the start. A law firm that has experience in family law and understands the daily struggle of people who are moving forward after the end of a marriage may be able to help. Calling for a consultation is the first step.