The awarding of Different Types of Alimony in Florida

The types of alimony in Florida are durational, permanent, temporary, rehabilitative, and bridge-the-gap. Temporary support is for a spouse who needs financial help during divorce proceedings. The requesting spouse has to show that they need help and that the paying spouse has the means. The low-income earning spouse becomes stable financially during the period of a protracted divorce process. After the marriage gets dissolved, the spousal support ends. Bridge-the-gap alimony is not common in other states. Spousal support in this case helps the receiving party to meet short-term needs as they transition to singlehood. The money received can pay bills or living expenses as they seek employment or wait to sell their marital home.

Except for permanent support, all other alimony categories have a time limit. Rehabilitative alimony is probably the most popular in Florida. It gets awarded when a spouse can become self-sustaining except that they need financial help and time to acquire an education, work experience, or redevelop skills necessary to re-enter the job market. Before this category of alimony gets awarded, spouses have to produce a defined and specific rehabilitative plan. The court reviews it before certifying the spousal support. Durational and rehabilitative supports are similar in that both have a time limit. Durational alimony gets granted where the beneficiary requires financial assistance for a given period following the divorce. The support period cannot outlast the marriage duration.

Permanent support, unlike other types of alimony, is rare. It is only made available to spouses who cannot become financially independent after the divorce. It is often appropriate for disabled and aged spouses or spouses taking care of special needs kids. The requesting spouse has to demonstrate unique circumstances. The court assesses the duration of the marriage as well before determining the award amount. Permanent alimony may end if the supported party remarries or the providing spouse dies. It is advisable for divorcing spouses to have a settlement agreement regarding spousal support to avoid the tedious and inconveniencing intervention of the court.