Alimony Lawyer in St. Augustine, FL

Florida Alimony Laws

Alimony, also known as Spousal Support, involves payments made by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce. While couples can negotiate their own alimony terms, it is not automatic. In most cases, alimony in Florida is determined by a judge, who decides the type, duration, and amount of alimony payments. Florida alimony law requires the spouse requesting alimony to demonstrate an inability to maintain the standard of living they had during the marriage and that the other spouse has the financial ability to pay.

How is alimony calculated?

The court considers various factors, including the length of the marriage, the financial resources of each spouse, and their earning capacities.

Types of Alimony

Temporary Alimony: Temporary alimony is paid during the divorce process. The requesting spouse must prove financial need, but it will not be awarded if it leaves the paying spouse unable to support themselves.

Permanent Alimony: Permanent alimony is awarded for life or until the receiving spouse remarries. It is generally reserved for long-term marriages (17 years or more) or when a spouse cannot financially support themselves. The goal is to maintain the receiving spouse’s former standard of living. Permanent alimony addresses alimony vs child support situations, where child support focuses on the child’s needs, while alimony supports the spouse.

Rehabilitative Alimony: Rehabilitative alimony helps a spouse become self-sufficient by acquiring new skills or education. A clear plan must be submitted to the court. This type of alimony can be modified based on significant changes in circumstances or completion of the rehabilitative plan.

Bridge-the-Gap Alimony: Bridge-the-Gap alimony is intended to help a spouse transition to single life, addressing short-term needs like housing or setting up a household. It is non-modifiable and cannot last more than two years. Durational Alimony: Durational alimony is for a set period of time, which cannot exceed the length of the marriage. The amount can be modified if circumstances change, but the duration of payments cannot be altered.

Speak With Our St. Augustine Divorce Family Lawyer

How We Will Help

Our team at Leonard Legal, P.A. is here to guide you through every step of the alimony process, ensuring your rights and financial interests are protected.

Personalized Alimony Strategy
Thorough Financial Evaluation
Strong Advocacy for Fair Alimony Payments
Knowledge of Florida Alimony Laws
Guidance in Temporary and Permanent Alimony Cases
Expertise in Modifying Alimony Awards
Support with Rehabilitative Alimony Plans
Assistance in Navigating Alimony vs Child Support
Clear Communication Throughout the Alimony Process

Proven Record of Success

“Could not have asked for a better experience with Leonard Legal. I was in a very tough and unfortunate situation, and I am so grateful that I chose to have Christine represent me. From the very beginning, I was treated with respect and as a priority. Everything was explained very clearly, and my questions were always answered right away. Not only is Christine a great lawyer, she is also very personable which was a tremendous help during the process. Christine truly went above and beyond and I am so thankful. Highly recommend!” – Dierdre Reimold (Client)