Alimony is a payment ordered by the court from one spouse to another during and after the divorce. Since Florida alimony laws don’t prescribe a formula for determining alimony, the judge has the discretion to determine the type and amount of spousal support. The court considers several factors when determining the type, amount, and duration of alimony. In the past, alimony was the preserve of the wife because she stayed at home taking care of the household. In case of a divorce, the stay-at-home spouse loses shared income to a life without any source of livelihood. As such, the court would award the divorced woman an alimony amount to ensure they don’t become financially destitute. Today, it is common for both spouses to earn active income. However, alimony remains an option.
There are five categories of alimony in Florida. They are rehabilitative, durational, permanent, temporary, and bridge-the-gap alimony. Divorcing spouses are at liberty to discuss spousal support, including the amount, type, and duration. However, if they cannot reach an agreement, the judge has no choice but to intervene and decide. Rehabilitative alimony is one of the most popular in Florida. It gets awarded where the benefiting spouse can become self-sufficient given financial assistance and time. During the award of the alimony, the spouse redevelops the skills necessary to enter the job market. Spouses have to generate a well-defined and specific rehabilitative plan before this type of support gets granted.
Bridge-the-gap alimony is spousal support that helps the receiving spouse meet their short-term requirements during the transition period. The money can get used for settling bills as the spouse seeks full-time employment. There is a set duration for bridge-the-gap alimony. If the spouse making the payment dies or the benefiting spouse remarries, the court terminates the spousal support. Florida is among the few states that grant this type of alimony. Temporary alimony is made available during the duration of a lengthy divorce. Permanent alimony is not usual. It is for spouses who are unable to become self-sufficient in the future. The support is appropriate for aged, disabled, or spouses taking care of special needs children.
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