Alimony, or “spousal support,” is designed to level out of some of the inequities that can occur when a couple gets a divorce and one spouse has been financially dependent on the other during their marriage.
If you’re in that position, it’s smart to learn more about the options you may have.
The type of alimony that you may receive can vary according to your needs
According to Section 61.08 of the Florida Statutes, here are the four kinds of financial support you can ask the court to award you:
- Bridge-the-gap alimony: Sometimes the most someone needs is a little help getting through the foreseeable, short-term expenses associated with a divorce. You may need help paying for a new place to live, getting your utilities on and buying furniture, for example.
- Rehabilitative alimony: If you have a plan to achieve self-support but need a little support to help you get there, this may be the right kind of alimony for you. For example, maybe you have a degree that you can leverage into a new career but you need to take a few classes to brush up your skills or renew your certification. This kind of alimony can help.
- Durational alimony: When a marriage was short or there’s no real reason that a dependent spouse cannot eventually be self-supporting, durational alimony may be awarded. While the dependent spouse doesn’t have to provide the court with a plan, the idea is that durational alimony gives them plenty of time to get themselves in a better financial position.
- Permanent alimony: While controversial, permanent alimony may be awarded whenever a spouse is unlikely to be self-supporting. Usually it’s considered appropriate after long marriages or when a spouse became disabled during the marriage.
Protect your interests in your upcoming divorce
Preserving your financial stability following your divorce isn’t always easy. Find out how an attorney can help you.
