Alimony Attorneys Pursuing Fair Spousal Support In Florida
Understanding Florida Alimony Today
Alimony depends on need and ability to pay. Courts consider the marriage length, standard of living, each spouse’s income and health, and contributions to the household. Recent Florida reforms ended permanent alimony in new cases and clarified how durational, rehabilitative, bridge the gap, and temporary support are used. Our attorneys apply current law to negotiate or litigate results that make sense.
Types Of Support And When They Fit
Bridge the gap provides short term help to transition. Rehabilitative support funds a defined plan for training or education. Durational alimony supplies support for a set period that generally does not exceed the marriage length. Temporary support may be ordered during the case. We tailor proposals that reflect budgets for wherever you are located in Florida, such as Orland or Maitland, and withstand court review.
Building Or Defending The Case
If you seek support, we document monthly needs and show how education or work history affects earning capacity. If you may pay, we test budgets against actual income and raise defenses like a supportive relationship or unrealistic expenses. We also consider lump sum solutions when a clean break helps both sides.
Clients often coordinate property division choices with support negotiations and review the broader divorce process to set expectations for mediation and hearings.
Modifying Or Ending Alimony
Certain awards can be modified for substantial changes, including loss of income or retirement at a reasonable age. Remarriage typically ends several forms of alimony, and a supportive cohabitation can justify reduction or termination. We handle motions to modify or defend an existing award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have to pay alimony?
Not automatically. It depends on the other party’s need and your ability to pay after meeting your own reasonable expenses.
How long does alimony last?
Duration depends on the type ordered and marriage length. Durational support is set for a defined period. Rehabilitative support follows a written plan with a cap.
Is there a formula for amount?
No fixed formula. Judges rely on evidence of need and ability. We often negotiate a range to avoid leaving the decision entirely to the court.
Can alimony change after retirement?
Yes. Retirement at a reasonable age can support modification. We prepare the financial record that the court needs to evaluate the request.