Fort Lauderdale Alimony Lawyer
Alimony can be a major factor to be decided in divorce. Parties on both sides often have strong feelings about whether alimony is truly needed or justified, how much of an award would be reasonable, and how long it should last. If you are seeking or opposing an alimony award in a Florida divorce, it is important to have representation from experienced family law litigators who can prepare and present a persuasive case to the judge giving your side of the alimony argument. The Fort Lauderdale alimony lawyers at Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can represent your interests regarding any of the many different kinds of alimony which may be awarded in a Florida divorce.
Five Forms of Alimony in Florida Divorces
Alimony, also known as maintenance or spousal support, is not automatically awarded in a divorce in Florida. The party seeking alimony must be able to prove that an award is justified, and the party being asked to pay alimony may challenge that justification in court. After hearing the arguments and reviewing the evidence of both sides, the judge will decide whether to award alimony or not. There are five different kinds of alimony that can be awarded in a Florida divorce:
Pendente Lite – This type of alimony can be ordered to be paid while divorce proceedings are ongoing. A final award of alimony, which could be ordered to be paid as a lump sum or in periodic payments, would come in one of the other four categories of alimony, if justified.
Bridge-the-gap – This alimony is meant to cover a person’s short-term needs while transitioning to single life. An award can last up to two years.
Rehabilitative – This type of alimony is for the purpose of helping someone get the education or job training they need to be self-sufficient.
Durational – This alimony is to provide economic assistance for a specified length of time.
Permanent – If alimony is needed but no other type would be reasonable and fair under the circumstances, the court can make a permanent award so that a person can maintain the same standard of living that he or she had during the marriage. Permanent alimony is more likely in the case of a long-term marriage (17 years or longer) and unlikely after a short-term marriage (one that lasted less than seven years).
Ten Factors to Determine Alimony
If the court determines the need for alimony by one party and the ability to pay by the other party, the judge will consider the following ten factors in deciding what kind and amount of alimony to award:
- The length of the marriage
- The standard of living established in the marriage
- Each party’s age and health
- Each party’s financial resources, including both marital and separate property
- Each party’s earning capacity, level of education, vocational skills and employability
- How each party contributed to the marriage
- The timesharing and parenting arrangement
- The tax consequences of an alimony award to each party
- All sources of income available to either party
- Any other relevant factors (including adultery or other marital misconduct)
Skilled Legal Representation Regarding Alimony in Your Divorce
Our Fort Lauderdale alimony lawyers have the skills and experience in Florida divorce litigation to fully and adequately represent your interests whether you are seeking or opposing alimony in your divorce. In Broward County, contact Edward J. Jennings, P.A. to schedule a consultation with an aggressive and successful Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer.
