Alimony FAQ

You deserve to ensure your financial status after your divorce. Don’t settle for anything less.

Alimony is the legal obligation of a former husband or former wife to pay their respective ex-spouse an allowance for the purpose of financial spousal support. Generally speaking, Florida courts may require the higher earner to make payments to the lower- or non-wage earner to maintain the standard of living the couple shared before the divorce.

During a marriage, both spouses become accustomed to a certain lifestyle. In some situations, this means one spouse works a traditional job and brings home a paycheck. The other spouse raises the children and maintains the household. In other scenarios, one spouse works a second job so the other spouse can go to school. During the divorce, the spouse who supported the other during their education may feel entitled to compensation. These are examples of the circumstances that can lead to alimony cases, resulting in several types of payment:

Permanent Alimony

This type of alimony is permanent and is intended to maintain a standard of living that existed before the divorce. A judge must state in their ruling for permanent alimony why another form of alimony would not be sufficient. The most common reason is that the person receiving the alimony is unable to become self-sufficient.

Temporary Alimony

Temporary alimony is typically awarded only while the divorce is pending. When it is finalized, temporary alimony ends.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Rehabilitative alimony gives a spouse a time frame for receiving alimony, during which they must find a way to become self-supporting. This is another type of short-term alimony.

Reimbursement Alimony

When a judge orders reimbursement alimony, it addresses only a specific duration of time or expense incurred by the ex-spouse. For example, it may arise when one spouse has supported the other while they were pursuing a college degree.

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You Deserve Answers

Every person’s situation is unique, so if you need advice about your specific alimony case, contact us for a case evaluation that will reveal more about your options. In the meantime, review these common questions and answers about Florida alimony.

Why is alimony necessary?

There is often an imbalance of income during a marriage. For example, when one partner is a stay-at-home parent for 20 years, they experience a long gap in employment. The other working partner is more able to bring in an income. After a divorce, the stay-at-home parent may find it very difficult to support themselves, especially if they have a compounding factor like a disability.

Will I receive temporary or permanent alimony?

It depends on the case you can make to the judge and the details of your exact situation. Florida judges tend to award temporary types of alimony more easily than permanent alimony because it is difficult to convince the court that you are completely unable to support yourself. Work with an experienced Tampa Bay alimony lawyer who can help you prove your case.

What if I don’t want to pay alimony?

If you are court-ordered to pay alimony and fail to do so, you could face legal and financial consequences. A judge may order a wage garnishment, your tax refund could be withheld, you could be denied a passport and other documentation and privileges as a citizen and other consequences. Talk to an alimony attorney about your options in this situation.

What factors are used to calculate alimony in Florida?
The long list of factors that will be used to calculate the monetary value of alimony include:

• Length of your marriage
• Whether minor children are involved and the responsibility of each spouse
• Each person’s financial resources
• Owned property, including separate and joint marital property
• All sources of income, which includes things like investments
• Earning capacity, education, skills, employability and special circumstances
• Timing and expenses that may be temporary or permanent
• Marital standard of living
• Age, physical condition and emotional state of both spouses
• Contribution of each spouse during the marriage, such as education and childcare
• Tax considerations

You Deserve Kemp Law – When Results Matter

No one deserves to struggle financially after a divorce, especially after giving so much time and effort to a marriage. It’s time to stand up for yourself and seek the alimony that will help you move forward. The Tampa Bay alimony attorneys at Kemp Law are your best legal partner during this challenging time.

You deserve the kind of professional, personalized help we provide. We handle alimony cases throughout the Tampa Bay region, serving the surrounding area from six convenient locations, including Pasco, Clearwater, Hernando, Westshore, Tampa and Carrollwood.

Contact us for a consultation about your alimony case. We’re here to assist you today.

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