An Alimony Attorney With Experience You Can Trust

If you are going through a divorce, spousal support is often a heavily contested issue. Whether you are asking to receive alimony or might be obligated to pay it, this issue is of great importance in many dissolution of marriage cases. The attorneys at Jeffrey Law, PA, have experience negotiating and litigating any and all forms of alimony. We have a knowledge of the law that is necessary to build a compelling case for your financial rights as they relate to alimony.

Securing Fair Alimony Agreements

Spousal support, or alimony, is often a heavily contested issue between parties to a divorce. There are numerous different forms of alimony, from temporary alimony while a case is pending, to different types of alimony that can be awarded by a Court in a final judgment.

• Temporary alimony is alimony that is based on one party’s need, and the other party’s ability to pay, temporary support while a case is pending. Temporary alimony can always be re-addressed or re-calculated after trial, in a final judgment, and cannot be waived in a pre-marital agreement.

• Bridge-the-gap alimony is designed to assist a spouse in financially adjusting from being married to single. A spouse requesting this type of alimony will need to identify short term needs, and can receive financial support for up to two years.

• Rehabilitative alimony is a type of alimony that is designed to assist a litigant spouse who needs to acquire skills or re-gain them in order to become self supporting. Presenting a case for rehabilitative alimony requires that a party propose a specific, detailed, rehabilitative plan to the Court.

• Durational alimony is most common after a short term (0-7 years) or moderate term (7-17 years) marriage, where a party has a need for spousal support for a set period of time, and the other party has the ability to pay it. A court can also award this support after a long-term marriage of 17 years or longer, if permanent alimony is not necessary or appropriate. A Court must make specific findings to award durational alimony in a long-term marriage.

• Permanent periodic alimony, or lifetime alimony, is generally speaking reserved for marriages of long duration (over 17 years) and circumstances in which a party lacks the ability to procure the financial resources necessary to meet the basic needs of life and the other party has the ability to pay. Under certain circumstances, permanent alimony can be awarded after a marriage of shorter duration.

Modifiability and termination of these various types of alimony awards are governed by Florida Statutes and nuanced case law, that an experienced family law attorney should have a sound command of.

The attorneys at Jeffrey Law, PA, have experience negotiating and litigating any and all forms of alimony when necessary. We have a knowledge of the law that is necessary to build a compelling case for your financial rights as they relate to alimony. As your attorneys, to the fullest extent possible, we present the Court with the evidence necessary for the Court to apply these factors in the most favorable possible way.

Frequently Asked Questions On Alimony

Below are answers to common questions about how alimony works in Florida.

What factors are considered for alimony in Florida?

Florida courts look at several factors when deciding whether to award alimony and how much to grant. These include:

• Length of the marriage (short-term, moderate-term or long-term)
• Standard of living during the marriage
• Each spouse’s income and financial resources
• Age and health of both parties
• Earning capacity and education level of each spouse
• Contributions to the marriage (including homemaking)
• Responsibilities for any minor children
• Any history of domestic violence
• Tax consequences of alimony payments

The goal is for the receiving spouse to have the means to become self-supporting if possible.

Who is eligible for alimony in Florida?

Eligibility for spousal support in Florida depends on a demonstrated financial need and the other spouse’s ability to pay. Generally, a person may be eligible if:

• They cannot meet their basic financial needs without assistance.
• They sacrificed career or education opportunities during the marriage.
• They were married for a moderate to long period, though short-term marriages may qualify in certain cases.
• They contributed significantly to the other spouse’s career or education by supporting them through school or job training.
• They have limited employment prospects due to age, health or time spent out of the workforce raising children.

The court must also determine that awarding alimony is fair and reasonable based on the total circumstances.

What disqualifies you from alimony in Florida?

While alimony is not guaranteed, several factors can disqualify someone from receiving it:

• Self-sufficiency: If a person can support themselves adequately, alimony may be denied.
• Short marriage duration: Marriages under seven years often do not result in alimony unless there are special circumstances.
• Misconduct: While Florida is a no-fault divorce state, severe misconduct like hiding assets or criminal behavior could influence the court’s decision.
• Cohabitation: If the recipient lives with a new partner in a supportive relationship, alimony may be reduced or terminated.

Our experienced family law attorney can help you understand your rights, avoid costly mistakes and build a stronger case for or against alimony.

Learn How We Can Help

Contact us today for zealous representative on issues relating to spousal support. Call 305-703-0702 or email us today.