Jupiter Alimony Lawyer
Some of the most difficult aspects of divorce that a couple must contend with are financial. This includes deciding how to divide marital assets, but also whether one party will need to pay alimony to the other, and if so, how much and for how long. This can end up being a contentious issue, where having an experienced Jupiter alimony lawyer on your side could make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
Types of Alimony Awards
A court will only finalize a divorce when a couple has reached an agreement regarding alimony, which is a type of financial payment made by one spouse to another. If, however, two parties are unable to reach such an agreement, then the court will step in and make the decision on the parties’ behalf. In Florida, there are actually a few different types of alimony awards that a court can order, including:
- Bridge-the-gap alimony, which is awarded for a maximum of two years to help a lesser earning spouse transition to post-divorce life and cover identifiable and legitimate short-term needs;
- Rehabilitative alimony, which is awarded to assist a lesser earning spouse become self-supporting through education, training, and obtaining work experience and is only paid until the completion of a specific rehabilitative plan;
- Durational alimony, which provides a lesser earning spouse with economic assistance for a period of time dictated by the length of the marriage; and
- Permanent alimony, which is only awarded following the end of a long-term marriage (17 years or more) and must be paid until the award is modified, or until the recipient remarries.
The type of alimony award that a person receives will depend on his or her specific situation, including the standard of living during the marriage and a variety of other factors.
Determining an Alimony Award
Before a court will award spousal maintenance, the requesting party must establish a financial need, as well as the other spouse’s ability to pay. The court will also assess:
- The parties’ standard of living during the marriage;
- The length of the union;
- The ages and physical health of both parties;
- Each spouse’s financial resources and income;
- How long it would take for the lesser earning spouse to acquire enough education or training to find paying employment; and
- Whether one of the spouses assisted in building the other’s career, or provided homemaking or childcare services.
Based on these factors, a judge could order alimony for an indefinite period of time, or could order a time-limited award. The form of these payments can also vary from monthly payments to a lump-sum payment. In some cases, a court may even award a person a greater share of marital assets, rather than alimony.
Call an Experienced Jupiter Alimony Lawyer for Help
Dedicated Jupiter alimony lawyer Caroline Olson, P.A. has been helping residents of Florida pursue their legal right to financial assistance upon divorce for nearly 20 years. For a free evaluation of your own case, call 561-288-0548 today.
