Alimony Attorney in Fort Myers, FL

Alimony is another law in the event of a divorce that can be very tricky for people to navigate without the help of an effective lawyer to guide them through the process. Alimony payments in Florida are based largely on both the length of the marriage and the income potential of both former spouses to earn. Alimony can be granted to either party, depending on whose income is lower. Typically, alimony is paid by the higher-earning former spouse to the lower-earning former spouse until he or she has established the means to support him or herself. This establishment can be in the form of earning a higher income, receiving a large lump sum of money, or a remarriage.

Alimony may be awarded to bridge-the-gap (help a former spouse go from being married to being single by allocating the funds essential to pay foreseeable bills conducive to re-starting a life as a single person), be rehabilitative (get the former spouse to a self-supporting position where he or she can take care of necessary expenses without outside assistance), for a specific duration of time, permanent, or any combination of these forms.

Durational alimony is typically awarded in the event of a short or moderate-term marriage, and the payments should not exceed the length of the marriage. In contrast, permanent alimony is usually granted to moderate or long-term marriages. This alimony is awarded when the former spouse is incapable of maintaining the lifestyle they had when they were married. While the alimony is classified as “permanent,” it is possible for a party to modify the alimony if significant life changes, such as income or later marriage, have taken place since the court decision. Whatever the purpose may be, alimony can be ruled to be paid monthly, in a lump sum, or some combination of the two.

Three Classification of Marriage Lengths

On top of monetary factors during and after the marriage in question, the length of said marriage is also a very important determining factor is the court’s decision to grant alimony. Marriage lengths have three classifications: short, moderate, and long-term. A short-term marriage is classified as lasting fewer than seven years. A moderate-term marriage is one lasting anywhere between seven and seventeen years. A long-term marriage is any marriage lasting more than seventeen years. After the court has determined that there is a need for alimony and ability to pay, the court will look to Florida Statute 61.08 for other determinant factors, such as age of each spouse, physical condition of either spouse, standard of living that each spouse experienced while married, contributions each spouse made to the marriage, etc., in making the final alimony determination.

Mellany Marquez-Kelly knows the stress and confusion that come along with divorces and figuring out alimony payments. Possessing the means to continue the lifestyle you are so used to is important, and we will be there for you to make sure you are receiving the best possible outcome in the court’s decision.

Get started with a consultation today to discuss your alimony case. Call us at (239) 374-3936 or contact us online.