Working to get the support you need
At The Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katz, P.A. we understand that divorce can leave you financially devastated. Florida law provides for spousal support, or alimony, in some cases. If you fail to ask a judge to consider the issue of alimony, you can lose your right to it. Protect your right to receive financial support by selecting a high-quality divorce lawyer. The Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katz, P.A. works to get you the maximum spousal support available in your situation.
How is spousal support decided?
During a divorce or dissolution of marriage, alimony may be awarded to either the husband or the wife. Alimony is based, in part, on the need of the requesting spouse and the other spouse’s ability to pay. Alimony is different from child support, but the child custody and time-sharing arrangement and related financial support may affect the ability to pay alimony.
In determining whether alimony is appropriate during or following a divorce, courts consider factors such as:
- Standard of living
- Length of the marriage
- Age and physical and emotional condition of both spouses
- Financial resources and income capacity of each spouse
- The time needed to obtain the education or training to find employment
- Contributions made to homemaking, child-rearing and the education and career of the spouse.
- Child custody, support and other financial support of the children
What types of spousal support are available?
Several types of alimony are available under Florida law. Alimony can be temporary or indefinite, depending on the particular facts, years of marriage and circumstances in a given case. Some types of alimony commonly awarded by Florida divorce courts include:
- Rehabilitative alimony — Rehabilitative alimony is granted for a limited time to allow you to gain financial independence and is usually paid monthly or bimonthly. You must show how you plan to achieve this independence, such as by going to school or getting job training.
- Bridge-the-gap alimony — Bridge-the-gap alimony helps you transition from being married to being single and may include obtaining a vehicle or housing. It is paid in a lump sum or over a very short period of time.
- Permanent alimony — Permanent alimony continues until you remarry or until the death of either spouse, and it is normally paid monthly or bimonthly.
- Durational alimony — Durational alimony is support that is granted for a set period of time.
- Alimony unconnected with dissolution — Alimony unconnected with dissolution is financial support a court can award to a spouse without any divorce pending at all. This type of support can be requested when a spouse with the ability to contribute to the maintenance of the other spouse or to support a minor child fails to do so.
Can my alimony be changed?
Alimony may be modified, under certain circumstances, if there is a substantial, material and permanent change that was unanticipated at the time of the agreement or entry of court order or decree. A substantial change in circumstances may include:
- Involuntarily job loss of the paying spouse
- Inability of the paying spouse to work because of illness or disability
- Significant decrease in income of the paying spouse
- Marriage of the spouse receiving alimony
- Cohabitation or other supportive relationship of the spouse receiving alimony
- Increase in income or new job for the receiving spouse
- Child custody, time-sharing and support modification that causes a significant change to the finances of the paying spouse
Contact an alimony attorney to protect your rights
The Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katz, P.A. assists clients in alimony disputes. We work with you to understand your situation and fight to get you the spousal support to which you are entitled or to limit spousal support owed to your ex-spouse. Our office is easily accessible from the Dadeland South Metrorail. Contact us today at 305-670-8656 or online. Se habla español.
