How Alimony is Determined in the State of Florida

Spouses can negotiate alimony terms, including duration, amount, and category. If an agreement is not found, the court could intervene and evaluate the situation before making the final decision. Spouses who need support during the cause of a protracted divorce can request temporary support. However, the court requires the party requesting temporary support to demonstrate the need and show the court that the paying spouse has the means. Temporary support gets terminated after judges finalize the process. Bridge-the-gap support is rare. It is a type of support that helps the receiving spouse to meet legitimate needs as they transition from marriage to singlehood. Needy spouses could use the support amount to settle bills as they wait to sell an asset or to find full-time employment. The payment amount should not exceed a specified period and terminates if the spouse making payments dies or when the receiving spouse remarries.

Rehabilitative support gets awarded when one spouse needs financial assistance and time to develop skills, acquire an education, work experience, and training to enter the job market. Spouses should create a defined and specified rehabilitative plan for the judge to review before allowing rehabilitative support. Durational support is a type of alimony that gets granted to a spouse who needs assistance for a specified period after divorce. It is often given to spouses who do not meet the requirements for permanent support. Support should not exceed the duration of the marriage. Permanent support is reserved for spouses who may not become financially sufficient in the future. The payment is appropriate for disabled and aged spouses or spouses taking care of kids with special needs.

Many people don’t know that either spouse can request alimony. Spousal support is not meant for women alone. Any spouse can request alimony provided they prove the need and demonstrate that the other spouse has the wherewithal. Judges have the discretion to determine alimony because there is no alimony calculator Florida. The judge assesses various factors before determining the amount, type, and duration of support.