Under Florida law, there are five different types of alimony (also known as spousal support). Judges choose the type of alimony based on what’s most fair for both parties under the circumstances of the divorce. The type of payment plan (lump sum or periodic) may also vary based on the type of alimony and the financial situation of each party.
The five different types of alimony in Florida are:
- Temporary. Courts usually award temporary alimony when one spouse needsfrom the other while the divorce is in process. This alimony arrangement automatically ends when the divorce is finalized.
- Bridge-the-gap. This is another type of short-term alimony plan, meant to “bridge the gap” after the divorce to provide the party in need with funds for living expenses while waiting to sell a house or complete education or retraining. Bridge-the-gap alimony lasts a maximum of two years.
- Rehabilitative. Rehabilitative alimony is specifically meant to help the recipient while he or she is seeking the education or retraining necessary to find a new job. Any individual who requests rehabilitative alimony must submit a plan detailing the amount of time and money required to complete the process.
- Durational. Durational alimony is a type of temporary alimony provided when the previous three are insufficient for the needs of the recipient. Anyone requesting this type of alimony may only receive it for a maximum length of time matching the length of the marriage.
- Permanent. If the court determines a spouse will have permanent need for economic assistance, the alimony is likely to be permanent as well — or at least until the recipient either dies or remarries.
For more information on the types of alimony in Florida, contact a skilled Tampa family law attorney with the Law Office of K. Dean Kantaras.