Boynton Beach Alimony Lawyer
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a payment from one former spouse to the other that is ordered by the court after a divorce. Alimony can be awarded for a number of different reasons, and it can be ordered for a short period or permanently, depending on the circumstances. Alimony is not granted in every divorce, however. It is only given when one party requests it during the divorce and can prove their need to receive alimony, the other party’s ability to pay it, and the reasons that would justify the court ordering alimony pursuant to a specific provision of Florida law.
Alimony issues can not only be confusing to understand and complicated to work out; they can also be strongly disputed and become the subject of litigation in court. Our marital and family law attorneys at the Law Office of Taryn G. Sinatra, P.A., can answer your questions and provide you with skilled and successful representation in your Palm Beach County divorce, whether you are the person requesting alimony or the one who is being asked to pay. Contact our experienced Boynton Beach alimony lawyers today to discuss your needs and goals regarding spousal support and other issues in your Florida divorce.
Different Kinds of Alimony in Florida Family Law
Alimony is awarded – if it is ordered at all – for a specific reason, and it is the job of the party seeking alimony to provide the factual evidence and legal arguments that support an award of the specific type of alimony requested. Florida courts can order alimony in any of the following categories:
Temporary Alimony
Referred to in court as alimony pendente lite, temporary alimony may be granted to support a spouse while the divorce case is underway. Temporary alimony ends when the divorce is finalized.
Bridge-the-Gap Alimony
This form of alimony is intended to help a former spouse make the transition to single life by providing support for legitimate, identifiable, short-term needs. Bridge-the-gap alimony can be ordered for up to two years after the divorce.
Rehabilitative Alimony
When a party needs time to acquire or reacquire the necessary education, training, experience or credentials to become financially independent, they can create a rehabilitation plan that outlines what steps they need to take and what it will cost. Rehabilitative alimony can pay for the expenses of implementing that plan so the party can become self-supporting as swiftly as possible.
Permanent Alimony
If a party doesn’t have the ability to provide for themselves at the standard established during the marriage, the court might award them alimony for the rest of their life or until they remarry. Permanent alimony is more common after a long-term marriage when none of the other categories of alimony apply.
Transitional Alimony
If permanent alimony isn’t needed or is deemed inappropriate, a party can still ask for transitional or durational alimony for a set period of time.
How Florida Courts Decide on Alimony Matters
The parties can agree between themselves how to handle alimony in the divorce. Often this issue has already been addressed in a prenuptial agreement, and the court will order alimony accordingly. If the matter is contested, it will have to be litigated and decided in a courtroom hearing where each side presents evidence and legal arguments on why alimony is appropriate or not. An initial determination for the court is whether one party needs alimony and the other party has the ability to pay. Florida law also sets out many other factors for courts to consider when deciding what kind of alimony to order, how much to award, and how long alimony should last. These factors are:
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- The duration of the marriage
- The age and the physical and emotional condition of each party
- The financial resources of each party, including the nonmarital and the marital assets and liabilities distributed to each
- The earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability of the parties and, when applicable, the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable such party to find appropriate employment
- The contribution of each party to the marriage, including, but not limited to, services rendered in homemaking, child care, education, and career-building of the other party
- The responsibilities each party will have regarding any minor children they have in common
- The tax treatment and consequences to both parties of any alimony award, including the designation of all or a portion of the payment as a nontaxable, nondeductible payment
- All sources of income available to either party, including income available to either party through investments of any asset held by that party
- Any other factor necessary to do equity and justice between the parties
If alimony is a contested matter in your divorce that can’t be resolved without litigation and a courtroom hearing, we’ll gather the facts and legal arguments based on the relevant factors above to present a strong and persuasive case for a resolution to the alimony question in your best interests.
Contact the Law Office of Taryn G. Sinatra, P.A., Today
At the Law Office of Taryn G. Sinatra, P.A., we strive to resolve your family law matters as amicably and efficiently as possible, but always with the ability to litigate contested matters and go to court as necessary. Get the help you need from board-certified experts in Florida family law. Contact our Boynton Beach alimony lawyers today.
