Calculating Alimony In Fort Lauderdale
When getting a divorce in Fort Lauderdale, determining how you will support yourself in the aftermath without your spouse’s income is a major consideration. This is particularly true if you are not currently working or make significantly less than your partner. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your situation, you may be entitled to alimony payments. These can help you financially recover once a final divorce order is issued, ensuring you are able to make ends meet while maintaining the same standard of living you enjoyed over the course of your marriage.
Factors That Influence Your Right To Alimony Payments
Alimony in Fort Lauderdale is based both on need and your spouse’s ability to make payments. It is generally awarded in cases where one spouse makes considerably less than the other or sacrificed their own career or education to support their partner or to provide for children from the relationship. Under the Florida Statutes, factors a judge will consider in determining whether alimony payments are warranted and the total amount that should be paid include:
- The length of the marriage;
- The total income of each party and the amount of premarital assets they possess;
- Each person’s overall contributions to the marriage;
- Any agreements or settlements reached regarding the division of marital property and assets.
In estimating alimony payments, a reasonable amount is generally considered 30 percent of the paying spouse’s annual income, minus 20 percent of any income the receiving spouse is able to earn. However, there are no clear guidelines in awarding alimony in Florida. It is up to the judge in your case to determine the exact amount, depending on the circumstances involved. Be aware that if you engaged in any type of marital misconduct over the course of your marriage, such as having an affair, it could jeopardize your rights to alimony payments in your divorce.
Common Types of Alimony In Florida
Financial declarations filed by your and your spouse and details provided in your divorce proceedings will be used in determining an appropriate alimony amount. In regards to the duration of these payments, there are four common types of alimony in Florida:
- Bridge the gap alimony, which is designed to help you adjust to life after your divorce and may be awarded for up to two years.
- Durational alimony, which is often awarded in short or medium length marriages and generally lasts for up to half the period of time you were together.
- Permanent alimony, which is common in long term marriages and only expires if the paying spouse dies or the receiving spouse gets remarried.
- Rehabilitative alimony, which is awarded for a period of time to allow you to gain the education or experience needed to reenter the workforce.
Let Us Help You Today
Alimony can play a key role in helping you recover financially from a divorce. For help in getting the maximum amount you are entitled to, reach out and call or contact Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney Vanessa L. Prieto online to request a consultation today.
