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How Long do I have to Pay Alimony?

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There’s no easy answer as to how long an individual may be ordered to pay alimony, but it will depend on the length of the marriage. It’s slightly possible for a spouse to be awarded alimony by the court for a marriage lasting a minimum of seven years. The likelihood increases with the duration of the marriage. If alimony is deemed appropriate, Florida allows for five types:

  • Temporary – Is awarded during the pending divorce and ends when the final divorce decree is delivered.
  • Rehabilitative – This is awarded to enable a spouse to resume a career or profession so they can support themselves, or obtain training or education for that goal.
  • Bridge the Gap – It begins after the divorce is finalized and lasts no more than two years to enable the spouse to get on their feet and meet their own needs.
  • Durational – This provides support for a longer period of time, is dependent upon the length of the marriage, and can be in effect for up to 10 years depending on the court’s judgment.
  • Permanent – An order for permanent alimony lasts until the court orders an end to it, one of the spouses dies, or the alimony recipient remarries.

Alimony in Florida is unpredictable. There are no set amounts and takes into account the incomes of both spouses. The amount can be modified in some instances should the spouse making the payments have significant changes to their financial situation. The ultimate decision on alimony is up to the judge, who is required to consider a variety of factors.

The court is responsible for determining if there’s a need for alimony and if the other spouse is able to pay it. Alimony won’t be mandated if either of those conditions isn’t present. The judge will consider elements encompassing the financial resources and earning capacity of the recipient, length of marriage, standard of living, and child support obligations.

Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield, P.A.

Whether you need a Divorce, are dealing with Custody or Child Support issues, or need representation in a Personal Injury matter, the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield can confidently assist you.  To learn more about how we can help you or to discuss the facts of your case with our attorneys, call 954-983-1443 to schedule your free consultation.

3107 Stirling Road
Suite 105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Fax: 954-983-1536

Email: [email protected]

Hollywood Alimony Lawyer

In a proceeding for legal separation in Florida, the court may grant alimony to either party. Before you sign any documents or make a verbal agreement to your partner, consult an experienced alimony lawyer. Theodore Enfield has more than 35 years of experience in family law and divorce issues, including spousal support (alimony), and understands the many facets of creating and modifying spousal support agreements.

Alimony Lawyer Hollywood, FL.

Ask a Spousal Support Lawyer What You Need To Know Before You Divorce

If you are going through a divorce, consult with a spousal support attorney before signing any papers. You may be responsible for paying alimony, or you may be eligible to receive alimony. A qualified spousal support lawyer like Theodore Enfield can help guide you through the many steps of getting a divorce and calculating the correct amount of alimony.

What is Spousal Support?

Spousal support refers to payments made to a spouse in order to help him/her achieve financial independence and stability after a divorce or legal separation.

What is Alimony?

Alimony is a court provision that requires a spouse to make payments to the other spouse after a divorce or legal separation.

In many states, spousal support and alimony are used interchangeably. However, alimony is commonly used in court systems. Both are meant to protect the financial well-being of spouses after the dissolution of marriages. To learn more about alimony and child support, you should contact an alimony lawyer at the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield.

There are many factors that family judges take into consideration when determining the amount of alimony payments and whether alimony is necessary. In the state of Florida, the court considers:

  • the amount of money that each spouse can earn per month;
  • the monthly expenses of each spouse; and
  • the possibility of maintaining the “standard of living established during the marriage.”

In other words, family courts aim to ensure that each spouse is able to return to a lifestyle of financial stability that is similar to the economic state before the divorce. If the alimony award is unable to meet such standards, the court will entertain other ways to distribute assets equally.

Types of Alimony

In Florida, there are different types of alimony that the courts may grant depending on your situation.

Bridge The Gap Alimony

Bridge the gap alimony provides transitional assistance from being married to being single. The length of an award may not exceed two years. It is not modifiable in the amount of duration.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Rehabilitative alimony is awarded to assist a party in establishing the capacity for self-support through the redevelopment of previous skills or credentials or the acquisition of education training or work experience necessary to develop appropriate employment skills or credentials. There must be a specific and deferred rehabilitation plan.

Durational Alimony

The purpose of durational alimony is to provide the party with economical assistance for a set period of time following a marriage of a short or moderate duration or following a marriage of long duration if there is no ongoing need for permanent support. The length of durational alimony may not exceed the length of the marriage.

Factors In Awarding Alimony

  1. Duration of the marriage
  2. Standard of living established during the marriage
  3. The physical and emotional condition of the party
  4. The responsibilities each party will have with regards to any minor children

Do I Need An Alimony Attorney?

As soon as you are aware that you will be getting a divorce, you should contact an experienced family law attorney in Hollywood immediately. Divorces are often accompanied by emotional distress which contributes to lengthy, even difficult divorce proceedings. For couples who earn significantly different amounts of income and play different roles within the household, alimony and/or spousal support may be necessary. However, many spouses do not believe in alimony and thus, present evidence and other useful information to deter family courts from requiring alimony payments. Because of these reasons, it is absolutely pertinent that you contact a Hollywood divorce lawyer to assist you with the overall process of requesting alimony.

For help in determining which type of alimony fits your unique situation, contact our Hollywood office where an experienced divorce attorney at the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield in Hollywood, FL can assist you

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