Alimony

There are several types of alimony, such as permanent periodic alimony, bridge -the -gap alimony, lump sum alimony, rehabilitative alimony and durational alimony. Temporary alimony may also be awarded during the pendency of a divorce case. Alimony may be awarded to the spouse who has an actual need for the support and when the primary wage earner has the ability to pay it. The payment of alimony is often looked upon with dread by the paying spouse as it is often perceived by the paying spouse that the receiving spouse is less inclined to earn a living. Whether alimony is awarded depends upon a number of factors which include but are not limited to, the standard of living during the marriage, the marriage’s length, the spouses’ financial resources and age as well as contributions to the marriage.

The Florida Legislature has now set forth rebuttable presumptions that a marriage of less than 7 years is a short term marriage; a moderate marriage is one that is greater in length than 7 years and less than 17 years and; a long term marriage is a marriage of 17 years or greater.