Adjusting to life after divorce does not happen overnight, especially if you depend financially on your ex. When a stay-at-home parent decides to divorce, their main worry is that they won’t make ends meet as an independent adult. However, the state of Florida alleviates the economic burden for those in that situation by awarding them alimony, that is, the payment that one spouse must make to the other after divorce to support them.
Who gets alimony?
Alimony exists so that divorcing spouses without an income can maintain the same level of lifestyle they had before their marriage. However, the court does not always award alimony. They only do so when one spouse needs it and the other can pay for it. Some of the factors they consider when determining if alimony is adequate are:
- The standard of living during the marriage
- The age, physical and emotional condition of each party
- The duration of the marriage
- The financial resources of each party
- The earning capacities, educational levels and vocational skills of each party
The courts in Florida also consider any history of adultery as a relevant factor to award alimony. In most cases, if the independent spouse cheated on the other, they must pay the dependent spouse alimony.
Types of alimony
Once the court sees that alimony is suitable, they must choose which type of alimony to award the divorcing spouse. In Florida, there are four different types of alimony. They are:
- Bridge the gap alimony: helps one of the parties adjust to being single. It covers the short-term needs and can last up to 2 years.
- Rehabilitative alimony: provides for the needs of a person while they acquire a new education or training to get their earning capacity back.
- Durational alimony: provides a party with economic assistance for a set period after the marriage.
- Permanent alimony: is for life and for those who lack the financial ability to meet their needs after the divorce.
All types of alimony, except for rehabilitative alimony, end if the receiving party remarries or if either party passes away.
The power of the law
The court will award you alimony if they see that you would go through a tough situation if your ex doesn’t support you. If you disagree with the type of alimony that the courts give you, you can ask for a modification in the future. You didn’t see this happening, and you have the right to seek compensation if you sacrificed your earning capacity during your marriage.