Alimony Payments in Safety Harbor, Florida

Because alimony is based upon the premise that marriage is a partnership, Florida courts view that the termination of the marital partnership may require the shifting of a certain amount of income from one party to another. Alimony payments are never an issue for you with legal assistance from our attorney in Safety Harbor, Florida.

For alimony to be awarded, the court must find 1 party is in need of alimony while the other party has a greater ability to pay. Unless those tests are met, then no alimony should be awarded by the court. Calculation of the amount of alimony can be complex, which is why you need to hire our divorce attorney.

What Goes into Determining Alimony?
Alimony is solely determined by each situation and its facts. Some important factors that go into alimony award calculations for a court include the:

Alimony Takes Many Forms
1. Permanent Period Alimony -
    Provides ongoing monthly payments until the death or remarriage of recipient. Recent changes in the law allow modifications in cases of
    "cohabitation in a financially supportive relationship," even without remarriage.
2. Durational Alimony -
    Awarded to provide the party with financial assistance during a period of time following the marriage, and may be modified or terminated and
    may not be awarded for a period of time exceeding the length of the marriage.
3. Rehabilitative Alimony - 
    Paid to allow the spouse to gain new educational and/or employment skills so that they can support themselves. This requires that a specific and
    detailed list of expenditures be submitted to the court for the nature, length, and costs of the education or potential employment training necessary.
4. Bridge the Gap Alimony -
    Awarded by a court to help a spouse for a shorter period of time so that the former partner can reestablish themselves. The new statute
    now specifically limits the period of time that Bridge the Gap Alimony can be awarded to 2 years.
5. Lump-Sum Alimony -
    Awarded by a court when ongoing monthly payments are not reasonable under the unique financial circumstances or are not likely to
    be made in a timely manner.

Schedule an appointment with us to discuss your unique alimony-related situation.