It’s important to keep in mind that length of marriage is just a basic timeline, and how much you deserve is entirely subjective. Working with an experienced alimony lawyer will significantly increase your odds at agreeing on an alimony amount that’s fair for everyone involved.
How do you Qualify for Alimony in Florida?
In order to start the alimony process you will need to fill out the appropriate Florida alimony forms. Qualifying for alimony is approached similarly to how the amount is calculated: Every instance is different. There is no cut and dry way to determine how much alimony you will receive, or whether you will qualify at all. That’s why we highly recommend you seek legal advice before filling out your application so someone can guide you in the right direction for your family.
Get help with Alimony in Tampa
If you’re still struggling to understand how to navigate the confusing alimony process in Florida, that’s okay. We understand that the Florida legal system can be incredibly confusing. If you’re ready to move forward with alimony help, contact the trusted family lawyers at LaFrance Family Law.
Whether you’re in the midst of a divorce and need to ensure you and your spouse settle on a fair alimony agreement, or you need help with alimony modification, the alimony attorneys at LaFrance Family Law are here to help. Any family legal matter is a strain on your well-being. You don’t need to deal with that kind of stress alone.
If you’re ready for effective legal help, contact the experienced and compassionate Florida alimony lawyers at LaFrance Family Law.
How Much is Alimony in Florida?
Alimony is one of the last things to be determined during the divorce process. Alimony is sometimes referred to as “spousal support” and is designed to provide financial support for a spouse in need. Alimony is determined on a case by case basis, and there’s no objective way of predicting what the courts will decide.
How is alimony calculated?
While alimony calculators can give you a general idea of what you will owe or receive, the Tampa alimony lawyer you choose could make or break your experience. The best way to find the support you need is by hiring a Tampa attorney.
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- the time needed to acquire appropriate employment
- responsibilities regarding any minor children
- the standard of living when married
Another major factor in determining an alimony award in Florida is the length of the marriage. The following is the current breakdown according to the court:
- Short-term marriage = fewer than 7 years
- Moderate-term marriage = 7-17 year
- Long-term marriage = longer than 17 years
Alimony FAQs
Alimony works by financially supporting the party of the dissolved marriage that can’t take care of living expenses without assistance. It is used to level the field of resources and skills shared between two parties to assist the lacking party to support themselves. The length of the marriage, financial, and sometimes non-monetary factors play a large part in the determination of alimony. Each case is going to be different, which is why it’s imperative that you have an alimony lawyer look over these factors with you.
There is no hard and fast formula used to calculate alimony, but our alimony calculator can give you a close estimate. A good starting point for the calculation is to consider the need of the spouse seeking alimony, the ability of the other spouse to pay alimony and the duration of the marriage. The ability of the other spouse to pay is also determined by comparing that spouse’s net income to that spouse’s reasonable living expenses. There are five types of alimony that can be awarded and based on several factors, and it can be modified if any changes occur during the process of making alimony payments.
Depending on the type of alimony that has been awarded the length of alimony can vary. Bridge the gap alimony can last for up to 2 years but cannot extend this time. Durational alimony cannot exceed the length of a marriage. Permanent alimony tends to be indefinite but can be modified under reasonable circumstances. The length of alimony can be modified but the reasoning must appeal to the courts. That’s why it’s important to approach these situations with an experienced alimony lawyer.
Assessing the requesting party’s income and expenses is critical to minimizing exposure to alimony. Ensuring that full financial disclosure is completed is essential, especially in cases involving self-employed spouses. Documents, such as bank records, credit card statements and business records should all be reviewed. If necessary vocational experts can be utilized to determine if a party is underemployed so that in reality they could be earning a higher income, thereby reducing or eliminating their need for alimony. Expenses must be scrutinized for embellishment so that an argument for an inflated need can be defeated.
The length and amount of alimony can be modified or terminated depending on the exceptional circumstances. If the person paying alimony is receiving less income than they were at the initial establishment, or the financial position of the party receiving alimony increases, alimony can be modified, though not every case is as simple. It’s important to discuss your situation with a family law attorney to determine if your alimony case can be modified.
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