How Long Will You Have to Pay Alimony in Florida?

Spousal support, more commonly referred to as alimony, is monetary payments made from one spouse to another during and after divorce proceedings. The purpose of alimony is to help a lower-earning spouse financially support themselves as they are ending their marriage and often, for a certain period of time afterwards. Those who are ordered to pay alimony often wonder how long they will be responsible for paying it. One of our Tampa alimony attorneys explains in further detail below.

Factors Courts Consider When Awarding Alimony

The type and duration of alimony will depend on several factors. The courts will consider the following factors when determining whether to award alimony:

• The length of the marriage
• The physical, mental, and emotional health of each spouse
• The age of each spouse
• The standard of living each spouse enjoyed throughout the marriage
• The anticipated needs of each spouse
• The education levels, earning capacity, employability, and vocational skills of each party
• The ability of the recipient spouse to obtain the necessary skills to become self-sufficient
• The resources and income of each spouse
• The parental responsibilities of each spouse
• The contributions each spouse made to the marriage, including non-monetary contributions such as raising the children

Types of Alimony

When determining how long you may have to pay alimony, the type of support you are paying is very important. The different types of alimony, and the duration associated with them, are as follows:

• Temporary alimony: Temporary alimony is meant to help a spouse who needs financial assistance during divorce proceedings. If the court does not terminate these payments during proceedings, they will stop once the divorce case is finalized.
• Bridge-the-gap alimony: This type of support is intended to help a spouse adjust to a new lifestyle and single life post-divorce, giving them time to become financially independent. This type of support cannot exceed two years and it also cannot be modified.
• Rehabilitative alimony: Rehabilitative alimony is similar to bridge-the-gap alimony but its main purpose is to allow the recipient spouse to obtain the necessary education or skills they need to obtain gainful employment. The recipient spouse must present a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation to the court. Rehabilitative alimony cannot exceed five years. This type of support can also be modified if the recipient fails to comply with the plan, completes the plan, or there is a substantial change in circumstances.
• Durational alimony: Durational alimony is typically only awarded when a marriage lasts at least three years. When permanent alimony was terminated in 2023, durational alimony became the primary alternative. A judge will determine the length of durational alimony and the amount of support can be modified or terminated under certain circumstances.

Our Alimony Attorneys in Tampa Can Advise On Your Case

If you are getting a divorce and are worried about unfair requests for spousal support, our Tampa alimony attorneys at All Family Law Group, P.A. can help. Call us now at 813-672-1900 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced and to get the legal help you need to uphold your rights. Se Habla Espanol.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.08.html