It is not uncommon for a couple considering a divorce to assume one or the other may be receiving alimony while the other may have to pay. This is particularly common with couples where one person is the primary income earner, and the other may have less income, fewer assets, or less opportunity to begin to earn an income.
However, it is important to understand there are many factors which will have an influence on alimony. Often called maintenance in Florida, this is a method for the court to grant temporary, short-term or permanent support from the wealthier or higher income spouse to the other spouse. A divorce alimony lawyer will be instrumental in ensuring the court recognizes the need for alimony and the type of alimony granted.
How Can Alimony Be Provided?
Alimony can be paid as a lump sum amount, or it may be offered in monthly payments over a set period of time until specific conditions are met, or as a permanent payment. It is also possible to grant an initial lump sum followed by monthly payments, which is often the case if there has been a lengthy separation without any support.
What is the Difference in Payment Duration?
The payment duration or the type of alimony will be explained by your divorce alimony lawyer. The years of your marriage, one to seven, seven to seventeen or more than seventeen years will classify as a short, moderate or long-term marriage.
Short marriages will typically qualify for temporary, bridge-the-gap and rehabilitative types of alimony. For short to moderate length marriages, durational alimony is often ordered, which cannot exceed the length of time the couple was married.
Permanent alimony is usually only granted for moderate to long-term marriages. It is important to talk to your divorce alimony lawyer if special circumstances may be factors to consider in requesting a specific type of alimony.
