Search Site
Menu
Alimony (Spousal Support)

Paying & Receiving Alimony After Divorce in Florida

The family law attorneys at Weiner & Weiss, LLC have extensive experience representing individuals who are seeking alimony or spousal support pursuant to divorce, as well as those who are contesting it. From our offices in Boca Raton, we serve clients throughout southeast Florida’s coastal communities in Broward and Palm Beach County.

Florida alimony laws

Once a court decides equitable distribution, it may consider an alimony award for either the husband or the wife. There are four types of alimony awards in Florida:

  • Rehabilitative Alimony – Rehabilitative support may be for a limited period of time to assist in redeveloping skills and financial independence. Parties requesting rehabilitative alimony must have a plan for their rehabilitation, such as the cost of going to school to improve skills and marketability.
  • Bridge-the-Gap Alimony – Bridge-the-gap support allows a party to make the transition from married to single life, which may include the need to obtain a vehicle and/or money to find a new home.
  • Permanent Alimony – Permanent support continues until the receiving spouse’s remarriage or the death of either party.
  • Durational Alimony – Durational support is ordered for a certain period of time.

Rehabilitative, permanent and durational alimony generally are paid periodically (monthly or semi-monthly), while bridge-the-gap support can be paid in a lump sum at one time, or may be paid over a very short period of time.

How Florida courts determine the appropriate type of alimony award

When awarding alimony, courts consider the following factors along with any other factors necessary to create a fair spousal support arrangement between the divorcing spouses:

  • The length of the marriage
  • The parties prior standard of living
  • The age and physical and emotional condition of both spouses
  • Each spouse’s financial resources and income-producing capacity of the assets they receive
  • The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment
  • The services rendered in homemaking, child rearing and education, and career building of the other spouse

At Weiner & Weiss, LLC, our divorce attorneys stay up to date on developments in Florida family law. For example, Florida recently defined short, moderate and long-term marriages for purpose of entitlement to support. A short-term marriage is one that lasted less than seven years; a moderate-term marriage is from seven to 17 years; and a long-term marriage is one which exceeds 17 years duration. The time period is measured from the date of the marriage to the date of filing the dissolution of marriage action.

Contact us to speak with a Florida lawyer about alimony

If you are facing divorce and need assistance with alimony, we can provide the legal advice and counsel you need. Please contact Weiner & Weiss, LLC in Boca Raton to schedule a consultation.

Our Attorneys
Testimonials
  • "Could not have asked for a better attorney. I dealt with an extremely difficult and tedious divorce. Gary and his team were always thorough and fully prepared. Always at the top of their game and always treated me as a top priority as they do all their clients. Recommend Gary Weiner as the attorney to handle your divorce if you need it done right!!!! " - Zachary B.,★★★★★

  • "Scott Weiss is always knowledgeable and reachable when I have a question. I have referred clients to him and will continue to refer clients!" - Ian S.,★★★★★

  • "Scott is a professional who is well-liked, collegial in a highly adversarial field. He has been mentored by an excellent lawyer and although still a younger lawyer he is fast gaining experience in complex matrimonial matters. He has moved beyond second chair to handling matters on his own. He is a pleasure to work with." - Anonymous,★★★★★

  • "Scott is not only a great lawyer, but he is also very involved in the community." - Anonymous,★★★★★