Readers of this Florida family law legal blog may know that a divorce will end a marriage. It breaks the legal bonds that marriage created between two people and returns them to the single status that they possessed prior to securing their union. A person can remarry after they get a divorce and form a new marital bond, or they may choose to stay single indefinitely.
Breaking apart two people who have been united in marriage can be tricky, especially when their relationship is complicated by shared children, shared property, and other shared assets. As they settle their negotiations and move into their divorce, a party may request spousal support from the other. Spousal support survives a divorce and involves the payment of money from one party to the other for a set amount of time.
For example, if a person does not work outside of the home and has no income on which to live once their marriage is over, they may not have many options for securing their own financial stability. This type of individual may be awarded spousal support from their working ex-spouse so that they are better prepared to find a job or pay their bills and remain solvent until such time that they can become financially stable. Many factors, such as the length of a marriage, the health of the parties, and the standard of living enjoyed during the course of the marriage will factor into whether spousal support will be awarded.
Not every divorce results in an award of spousal support because not divorce will involve financially dependent parties. Men and women can be awarded spousal support, and individuals who believe that they may benefit from such awards can consult with their divorce attorneys about their options.