Alimony & Spousal Support

One of the hurdles that often comes with divorce is alimony. Spousal support is a critical need whether you are on the paying or receiving end. Hire a Florida alimony and spousal support lawyer from Luhrsen Goldberg to help you understand your options and secure your future.

Understanding Spousal Support

Alimony (also known as spousal support) are funds sent from one former spouse to another as part of a divorce agreement. This spousal support seeks to soften the economic blow for the former spouse who earns less or is not as wealthy as the other because of the divorce.

Spousal support is not a certainty for every dissolution of marriage in Florida. Alimony is typically afforded to former spouses who left the workforce or abandoned an education to support their partners or family during the marriage. Sometimes, spousal support is offered to those needing to brush up on job skills after divorce.

Alimony attorneys can help shine a light on whether you need to pay spousal support or if you are eligible to receive it. An alimony lawyer can also walk you through the different types of alimony in Florida so you know what to expect.

Different Types of Alimony in Florida

Alimony lawyers understand that no divorce in Florida is identical to another one. Numerous spousal support options are available in Florida.

Bridge-the-Gap Alimony

One of the alimony options available is known as bridge-the-gap alimony. This type of spousal support is meant to help one of the spouses transition from being married to being single. As its name suggests, this alimony is short-term, not long-term, and is often used to buy a car or house.

Temporary Alimony

Like bridge-the-gap alimony, temporary alimony is short-term assistance. Whether the short-term alimony lasts months or years depends on the details of the divorce.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Rehabilitative alimony is for a former spouse who dropped out of the workforce and needs to become self-sufficient through job training. A roadmap for this professional development is required to receive this kind of support.

Lump-Sum Alimony

A lump-sum alimony may be awarded if the receiving party has substantial debt obligations that need to be paid off soon. The court may also offer this if there is uncertainty about the health and welfare of the paying former spouse.

There are other types of alimony available. These are just a few of the most common ones awarded. An alimony and spousal support attorney in Florida can share more details about additional types of alimony and the factors that influence spousal support.

Permanent Alimony

As of the 2023 legislative session, permanent alimony can no longer be awarded in the state of Florida.

Factors That Influence Alimony

According to Florida law, there are various factors that judges must consider when deciding what kind of alimony to award and the amount of the required payments. It is wise to work with a Florida alimony and spousal support lawyer throughout the entire process to ensure you understand everything.

The standard of living during marriage influences alimony. How long the marriage lasted, the age and health of both individuals, and their financial resources also matter. A person’s education, ability to earn money, and employment history are also contributing factors. How much each person contributed to caring for a child (especially minors) is also considered.

Other factors also impact the type of alimony awarded and the amount that must be paid, so speak with a Florida alimony and spousal support attorney to ensure you know all of them. An alimony attorney can also provide guidance on modifying or potentially getting rid of spousal support payments if substantial or permanent changes take place.

Modifying or Getting Rid of Spousal Support Payments

While working with a spousal support attorney, you will learn that Florida law allows for modifying an alimony agreement. However, changes can only be made if it can be proven that there has been a substantial or permanent change related to one or both of the former spouses.

Spousal support attorneys can provide more comprehensive details about what is considered a substantial or permanent change. Some examples of the changes include no longer being able to work because of an illness or disability. A considerable increase in pay for the former spouse receiving support or the supporting spouse experiencing a significant decrease in income could be grounds for modification.

If the person paying support loses a job or the receiving spouse gets married, modifying support may be justified. The receiving party does not even have to get remarried for modification to be allowed. If the former spouse receiving alimony lives with another person who brings in a significant income, this may be reason enough for modification. The only way to know if you can modify or eliminate spousal support is by speaking with a skilled and knowledgeable spousal support lawyer.

Contact Luhrsen Goldberg for a Florida Alimony & Spousal Support Lawyer

Couples getting divorced rely on Luhrsen Goldberg for a Florida alimony and spousal support lawyer. Our team of spousal support lawyers cares about your emotional well-being and your financial future. We welcome the opportunity to provide you with Law Powered by Women® legal assistance. Contact us today.

Choose Luhrsen Goldberg as Your Florida Alimony & Spousal Support Lawyer

Founded in 2016 by Julie S. Luhrsen, Esq. and Christina A. Goldberg, Esq., Luhrsen Goldberg is a woman-owned and led boutique law practice. We are committed to fighting hard for our clients and putting our life experiences, perspectives, and skills to work for you.

Those looking for an alimony and spousal support lawyer in Florida turn to Luhrsen Goldberg because they know we have extensive experience in numerous areas of family law. When you seek a Florida alimony and spousal support lawyer, our team of committed professionals welcomes the opportunity to provide you with Law Powered by Women® legal assistance.