Alimony in Florida

The most common circumstances that can lead to spousal support payments are when one spouse makes a significantly larger income than the other spouse. In these cases, the judge may require a spousal support payment to be made for a certain amount of time, as well as for a certain amount. Many other factors are considered when determining the amount of spousal support, including how long the couple was married, what circumstances led to a discrepancy in income (for example, one spouse may not have had a job because he or she was staying home with the children), the physical ability of both individuals to work and support themselves, and more. Payments may be ordered on a monthly basis or through a lump sum. Speak with our Winter Springs divorce attorney if you have a case.

Types of Spousal Support

Each case will need to be individually reviewed to determine the amount of support that may be awarded. Support can come in two forms in Florida. It may be permanent or rehabilitative. More often, it will be given out on a shorter term basis. This may allow a spouse the chance to develop a skill or to find a job. Once they are on their own feet and can handle their expenses for the most part, the other individual can be released from the order to make payments. While spousal support is usually a temporary arrangement, lasting just long enough for both individuals to become financially independent of each other, in some cases it can become permanent, for example, if one individual becomes permanently disabled and cannot work.

Modification and Enforcement of Spousal Support

If changes need to be a made to an order, this should be done through a modification. Changes need to be made legally otherwise it is considered a violation of a court order. Even if the two parties are able to agree on the changes, it needs to be done with the court to avoid future issues. Spousal support may need to be changed if the individual paying loses their job, or on the other end of the spectrum, if the individual receiving it suffers an illness. Modifications can both increase and decrease the amount. If the individual responsible for paying support chooses to stop their payments or lowers the amount that they pay, enforcement can and should be sought.

When fighting for your right to fair spousal support, you need the help of an experienced divorce attorney. At John M. Iriye, P.A., we have over 15 years of experience handling Florida divorce cases, and we are ready to put our skills and knowledge to work for you. We understand how difficult going through a divorce can be, and we are here to ease the financial burden of a divorce be seeking a fair spousal support arrangement that works for you. Whether you are looking to receive support or you want to avoid having to pay it, we can help you work through this issues. Call us now for a consultation.