Florida has several types of alimony that depend on various factors like the duration of the marriage, income, earning capacity, vocational skills, financial resources, age, and physical and emotional condition of the parties, among others.
The category of alimony a party is entitled to depend on several factors, including the length of the marriage and contributions to the marriage. Computation of income is a crucial factor in determining alimony, and the court can impute income to a party to calculate child support and alimony. In case a party cannot afford to pay the court-ordered alimony, they can arrange a consultation to modify the court order to pay alimony.
The alimony obligation may be affected if the party receiving alimony enters a supportive relationship. Cohabitation and the creation of or enhancement of any value or joint property with the new partner may affect alimony payments. An experienced attorney can help explore the grounds to reduce or terminate the alimony obligation.
If a party shares children with their spouse and is contemplating a divorce, time-sharing and parenting plans are important decisions to consider.
Overall, parties to a divorce in Florida can benefit from consulting an attorney to understand the different types of alimony and how to navigate the process of determining alimony payments.
Elimination of Permanent Alimony: The most notable change is the elimination of permanent alimony. Instead, there are now five different types of alimony: temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative (limited to 5 years), durational alimony and lump sum.
Durational Alimony Terms:
Modification and Termination of Alimony:
Permanent Alimony for Existing Cases:
Limits on Alimony Amounts:
Special Circumstances & Alimony Calculation Factors:
These changes aim to modernize alimony laws and provide clearer guidelines for both the awarding and modification of alimony in Florida.
These changes represent a significant shift in Florida’s approach to alimony, focusing more on the promotion of self-sufficiency and fairness while recognizing the financial needs arising from divorce. For specific cases or further advice, book a consultation with Nicole.