Miami Alimony Attorneys
Tailored Guidance Through Spousal Support Matters in Miami
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is established during a divorce. Florida law has changed effective July 1, 2023. There are many changes to determining the amount and duration of alimony. Permanent alimony has been eliminated as a form of alimony. There remain several other forms of alimony that may be available depending on a number of factors. There is temporary alimony, bridge-the-gap alimony, rehabilitative alimony, and durational alimony.
How Is Alimony Determined in Florida?
Alimony is based on one party’s need for support and the other party’s ability to pay such support. Having an experienced lawyer assist you in understanding your entitlement to support or your potential support obligation is important.
In Florida, alimony is based on several factors including:
- The age and health of the party seeking support
- The party’s educational background and work history
- The contributions to the marriage in the form of childcare and the like
- The career interruption of a spouse to assist the other spouse in advancing their career
- The disparity in earnings between the parties
As experienced counsel, Leinoff & Lemos provides skilled guidance on issues impacting alimony. Factors such as the assets to be received by a party and the imputed interest on those assets or income to be produced from an asset award are all factors to be included in a determination of alimony.
Understanding the Different Types of Alimony
Given the recent changes in Florida alimony laws, it’s essential to understand the various types of alimony that may be awarded during a divorce. At Leinoff & Lemos, our experienced Miami alimony attorneys can help you navigate these changes and determine which type of alimony might apply to your situation.
Temporary Alimony
Temporary alimony is awarded to provide financial support to a spouse during the divorce process. This type of alimony ensures that the lower-earning spouse can maintain their standard of living and cover essential expenses until the final divorce decree is issued.
Bridge-the-Gap Alimony
Bridge-the-gap alimony is designed to help a spouse transition from being married to single life. It covers legitimate, identifiable short-term needs and is typically limited to a maximum of two years. This type of alimony cannot be modified once it has been awarded.
Rehabilitative Alimony
Rehabilitative alimony aims to assist a spouse in becoming self-sufficient. This form of support is intended to cover the cost of education, training, or work experience required for the spouse to develop skills or credentials necessary to re-enter the workforce. A specific and defined rehabilitative plan must be presented to the court.
Durational Alimony
Durational alimony provides financial assistance for a set period following the end of a marriage. The length of time durational alimony lasts will depend on the length of the marriage, and it is not available for marriages lasting less than three years. Durational alimony cannot exceed 50% of the length of a short-term marriage (less than 10 years), 60% of a moderate-term marriage (10 to 20 years), or 75% of a long-term marriage (20 years or longer).
Contact our Miami alimony attorneys to schedule a consultation and discuss your spousal support options.
