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Spousal support basics in Florida

On Behalf of | Aug 16, 2018 | divorce |

Spousal support can be a difficult issue to address during divorce as one spouse is usually seeking it and the other spouse may not want to pay it. Understanding how spousal support is awarded in Florida can help spouses on both sides prepare for the spousal support concerns during their divorce.

Spousal support is a payment made by one former spouse to the other. If one spouse was lower wage earning or non-wage earning, spousal support is intended to ensure they are not economically disadvantaged by the divorce or suffer as little economic disadvantage as possible as a result of the divorce. There are different types of spousal support, or alimony, available in Florida including rehabilitative alimony; bridge-the-gap alimony; permanent alimony; durational alimony; or lump-sum alimony.

Courts will consider different factors when determining spousal support in Florida. Factors the family law court will evaluate will include the age of the spouses; the physical and emotional conditions of each of the spouses; their standard of living prior to the divorce; the length of the marriage; financial resources of each of the spouses; the earning capacity of each of the spouses; the assets each of the spouses receives in the property settlement; any time that will be necessary to acquire education or training to obtain employment; and any contributions of the spouses related to homemaking, child care, career building or education of the other spouse.

Knowing how spousal support is determined in Florida can help divorcing spouses approach alimony concerns and avoid an acrimonious process. The family law process provides tools for divorcing spouses to resolve many of their divorce-related concerns including spousal support which is why they should be familiar with the resources available to them.

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