What are the Different Types of Alimony in Florida

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a payment made from one spouse to another to help that spouse support themselves after the divorce is finalized. Whether you are petitioning the court for alimony or worried that you might have to pay it, knowing what options are out there is crucial to preparing yourself for your divorce case. In this article, the Largo, Florida divorce lawyers at Cairns Law, P.A. will discuss the different types of alimony that are available to spouses in a Florida divorce.

Temporary alimony 

Temporary alimony is a form of financial assistance awarded to the lower-earning spouse during the process of divorce. The payments are meant to help the spouse support themselves while the divorce is pending. The lower-earning spouse will need to demonstrate a financial need for alimony. They will also need to establish that the higher-earning spouse has the ability to pay. Temporary alimony helps level the playing field so that both spouses can face each other on an even basis. Temporary alimony ends once the divorce is finalized.

Bridge the gap alimony

Bridge the gap alimony is a form of alimony awarded by the Florida courts to help a spouse make ends meet shortly after the divorce is finalized. This type of alimony lasts up to two years after the divorce is finalized, but no longer. The payments are meant to stabilize the recipient spouse’s finances and help them maintain their quality of life while they are transitioning to post-divorce life.

Courts can award bridge the gap alimony to spouses who are, for example, waiting for the sale of the marital home or hoping to secure a full-time job. The payments would terminate after the two-year period has elapsed or the recipient spouse remarries.

Durational alimony 

Durational alimony is a form of alimony that awards financial assistance to a lower-earning spouse for a set amount of time. The length of the award is based on the length of the marriage and the recipient spouse’s needs. The duration of the award can never exceed the total length of the marriage. The longer the marriage lasted, the longer the award for durational alimony can last.

Rehabilitative alimony

 This form of alimony is meant to help the recipient spouse get training or education to help further their career and become self-supporting. For the court to award rehabilitative alimony, the spouse seeking alimony must be able to establish:

• A rehabilitation plan, like a plan to attend a college program
• A breakdown of the specific costs related to their rehabilitation plan
• The duration of the plan and how the plan will be used to make the recipient spouse self-sufficient

A rehabilitative alimony plan cannot exceed five years. An award of rehabilitative alimony may be modified or terminated based on a substantial change in circumstances. These include non-compliance with the plan. The spouse must demonstrate a commitment to the rehabilitation. If they fail to go to college or get vocational training, the plan can be terminated by the court.

Talk to a Largo, FL Divorce Lawyer Today 

Cairns Law, P.A. represents the interests of individuals who are pursuing a divorce in Florida. Our Largo family attorneys are here to assist you with all aspects of your divorce. Call today to learn more.