Who Pays, Who Receives Spousal Support?
Another particularly contentious issue that many divorcing couples dispute is spousal support. This type of support involves court-ordered support payments to an ex-spouse. Alimony is a factor in child support obligations, and the spouse who has the greater income or financial resources available typically pays it. The purpose is to enable the other spouse to have time to establish themselves independently.
Darla K. Snead will work with you to help you understand your rights, obligations and option sunder Florida state law.
The Factors That Affect Spousal Support In Florida
The state of Florida does not have any specific formulas for calculating spousal support, though the law lists several factors for the court to consider when determining how much alimony to award:
- Length of the marriage
- Ability of one spouse to support the other
- Evidence of demonstrated need for support
- Ages of the spouses
- The overall health of the divorcing parties
- What the standard of living in the marriage was
- Parental obligations
- The amount of time and cost to support a spouse through the necessary training to be self-supportive
- What each spouse contributed to the marriage financially and non-financially
- Tax consequences of spousal support orders
- The ability for each party to be self-sufficient
- Additional factors that could impact the equity between the parties
If in your divorce process the court determines that spousal support (alimony) is appropriate, it will need to decide what form to grant. The length of your marriage will directly impact this choice, especially in cases where a spouse requests ongoing support. Same-sex couples may have other issues to consider in regards to spousal support.
Florida Spousal Support Timeframes And Types
The time frames are as follows:
- Short-term: Under seven years of marriage
- Moderate: Any length between seven and 17 years
- Long-term: Marriages that lasted 17 years or longer
Currently, Florida law provides for several types of spousal support orders following a divorce. The awarding of alimony depends on the duration of your marriage and any factors the court deems relevant.
- Temporary
- Bridge-the-gap
- Rehabilitative
- Durational
- Lump-sum
- Permanent
Keep in mind that spousal support is not a punitive measure used against a spouse. If you feel that the amount of ordered support is excessive or not enough, contact the experienced spousal and child support lawyer in our Lakeland, Florida, office to learn what steps you can take to modify your spousal support order. Same-sex couples may have an additional issue to resolve since marriage was not legal, but many couples cohabitated for many years. We can help you understand your rights, options and path to resolution.
Work With An Attorney Known For Getting Results
The attorney you choose to work with will have a dramatic impact on the results that you get. By choosing to work with an established attorney who has proven she can meet her clients’ goals over and over, you put yourself and your future in an ideal position for a successful resolution. Call 863-619-5291 or send Darla K. Snead an inquiry email and she will get in touch with you.