Laws governing alimony seem daunting to sort through, especially after the emotional roller coaster of a divorce. Florida permits a wide range of alimony arrangements, each designed to accommodate unique financial situations and requirements. A comprehension of what these different types of support are can help prepare for legal proceedings more effectively and help develop a fair solution. In this Klein Law Group blog, we will go over the different types of alimony in Florida, including permanent, rehabilitative, and bridge-the-gap alimony, to provide you with an understanding of how each works and in what situations they can be applied.
Permanent Alimony
Permanent alimony is a form of financial support awarded when a spouse demonstrates an absolute need for ongoing support to maintain a standard of living similar to that which was enjoyed during the marriage. Permanent alimony is typically reserved for long marriages (17 years or more), but it may be awarded in moderate-term marriages (7-17 years) under extraordinary circumstances.
What It Covers
Permanent alimony considers needs such as housing, medical attention, and daily expenditures when one of the spouses lacks the financial resources to provide for themselves. A spouse who spent a number of years out of the workforce taking care of the children or attending to the home, for example, is a suitable recipient of permanent alimony.
Factors Considered
Florida courts take a range of considerations in awarding permanent alimony, such as the duration of the marriage, both spouses’ financial situations, and the recipient’s age and health. Even though permanent alimony is terminable and modifiable upon certain events, such as remarriage or significant economic status changes, it usually goes on until the recipient’s death.
Rehabilitative Alimony
Rehabilitative alimony is intended to enable one spouse to become financially independent. This form is prevalent in situations where the supported spouse requires further education, training, or time to re-enter the job market.
Purpose and Examples
This type of alimony is typically ordered with some rehabilitative plan in mind. For instance, if a spouse needs to complete a nursing degree so that they can be gainfully employed, the court may order rehabilitative alimony to cover tuition and modest living expenses while they are in school.
Time-Limited Support
Unlike permanent alimony, rehabilitative support is not lifetime. Courts anticipate a specific and achievable plan, showing how the recipient will be financially independent within a specified time. If the recipient fails to follow the plan, the alimony may be modified or terminated.
Bridge-the-Gap Alimony
Bridge-the-gap alimony provides short-term economic assistance to allow a spouse to transition from married life to separate life. This is typically awarded to cover immediate costs, such as rent or electricity charges, so that the recipient can get used to their new economic life.
How It Works
Bridge-the-gap alimony is the only one of these three types of alimony that contains a time component, which may not exceed two years. It’s not reversible, though; neither the amount nor the duration can be altered once awarded.
When It’s Awarded
This type of alimony is typically awarded in brief marriages where there’s no long-term financial interdependence, but the recipient is still short of funds to get back on their feet. For example, a spouse can use bridge-the-gap alimony to secure a new apartment lease while waiting for a pending job offer.
Factors Courts Consider When Awarding Alimony
For all types of alimony, the Florida courts consider a myriad of factors so that a fair award can be granted. They are, but not limited to:
- Duration of the marriage
- Standard of living that was maintained during the marriage
- Both spouses’ earning capacity
- Physical/emotional health and age of both
- Homemaking and child-rearing contributions to the marriage
- Tax consequences of an award of alimony
Conclusion
Alimony is a critical component of the majority of divorce cases, and understanding its nuances can make a tremendous difference in your future financial planning. Being aware of the distinction between permanent, rehabilitative, and bridge-the-gap alimony will allow you to have realistic expectations, advocate for your needs, and negotiate more successfully along the way.
If you are divorcing and are worried about how alimony may be used in your case, the experts at Klein Law Group can help. Our skilled attorneys practice family law and can work through the details of Florida’s alimony laws. Contact us today to defend your financial interests and get the assistance that you deserve.
