In Florida, alimony is a court-ordered payment made by one spouse to the other after a divorce. This support helps the receiving spouse maintain a standard of living similar to what they had during the marriage. Florida recognizes several types of alimony, each serving different purposes based on the circumstances of the divorce.
Bridge-the-gap alimony
Bridge-the-gap alimony helps the receiving spouse transition from married life to single life. This type of alimony is typically short-term, lasting no more than two years. It covers specific expenses related to the divorce, such as moving costs or job retraining. Courts typically award this form of alimony in situations where one spouse needs time to adjust but does not require long-term support.
Rehabilitative alimony
Rehabilitative alimony supports a spouse as they become self-supporting after the divorce. The recipient may need financial help to acquire education, training, or work experience to improve their earning potential. Courts generally award rehabilitative alimony for a set period, during which the receiving spouse works on their rehabilitation plan.
Durational alimony
Durational alimony provides financial support for a set period. Courts typically award it in cases where permanent alimony isn’t warranted, often after moderate-length marriages. The recipient spouse needs help adjusting, but the alimony usually doesn’t last longer than the marriage itself. However, courts can extend durational alimony in specific situations.
Permanent alimony
Permanent alimony is the most long-term form of support in Florida. Courts typically award it in cases of long marriages, usually lasting 17 years or more, where the recipient spouse cannot support themselves. Permanent alimony can change or end if there’s a significant change in circumstances, such as the recipient remarrying or becoming self-sufficient.
Temporary alimony
Temporary alimony provides financial support to a spouse during the divorce process. It covers living expenses while the divorce is ongoing and can be awarded before the final judgment. Once the divorce finalizes, temporary alimony ends.
The type of alimony the court awards depends on many different factors. Understanding the different types of alimony helps clarify what might happen during a divorce.