Typically, one of the biggest issues of contention in any Florida divorce is the matter of alimony. Usually, a judge will encourage a couple filing for divorce to determine alimony on their own, but if they cannot come to an agreement on spousal support, the court will rule on the issue. Florida law provides for a number of factors that the judge must consider when issuing an order on alimony payments, and the experienced lawyers at the Law Offices of David L. Hirschberg in Boca Raton are here to advise you on what to expect in your divorce case. To learn more, call or contact our office to schedule a case consultation.
What is the Purpose of Alimony?
Alimony recognizes that not all couples are equal income earners, and some spouses contribute to the good of the household in other ways like homemaking and child rearing. The purpose of alimony is to help support the lower earning spouse during and after the divorce to help maintain their standard of living as they learn to become financially independent. Florida law provides for many types of alimony, such as temporary, bridge-the-gap, durational, rehabilitative, and permanent spousal support to meet the specific needs of each couple filing for divorce.
Factors Considered in a Florida Alimony Case
Couples are strongly encouraged to come to an agreement on alimony during divorce negotiations, but if an agreement cannot be reached on the matter the court will issue a ruling on their behalf. Florida statutes provide a list of factors that a judge must weigh in every case to determine whether alimony is appropriate for this couple, and if so, what types and how much. The factors considered include the following:
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- The length of the marriage
- Seven or fewer years is short-term
- Seven to seventeen years is moderate-term
- Seventeen or more years is long-term
- Each spouse’s age as well as their physical and emotional health
- Both spouse’s financial resources, including separate and marital property
- Each spouse’s earning capacity, educational level, vocational skills, and employability and if necessary, the amount of time for either party to acquire sufficient education or training reenter the job market
- Both spouse’s contributions to the marriage, such as homemaking and childcare
- Any parental responsibilities to minor children
- Potential tax consequences
- All sources of income to both spouses, and
- Any other factor the court deems necessary to determine proper alimony
To learn more about how these factors may impact your case, talk to an experienced Florida divorce attorney today.
Reach Out to Us Today for Help
Alimony is a complex subject that requires a knowledgeable divorce attorney to handle, especially when a couple cannot agree on the terms of spousal support. Do you have concerns about the issue of alimony in your Florida divorce? If so, call the office or contact us today at the Law Offices of David L. Hirschberg to schedule a case consultation with one of our experienced Boca Raton spousal support lawyers.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.08.html