Alimony / Spousal Support Under Florida Law
Spousal Support / Alimony Lawyer in Orlando FL
Alimony is generally defined as financial assistance provided by one spouse to another, during and after a divorce. In Florida, either a husband or a wife may be eligible to receive alimony – also known as “spousal support” or “maintenance.” Whether you are entitled to temporary or permanent alimony or support will depend upon the individual circumstances of your marriage. An award of alimony or spousal support can profoundly impact the lives of you and your entire family, post-divorce. It is therefore crucial that you contact an experienced family law attorney to counsel you on these issues. Our skilled divorce attorneys in Orlando have extensive experience in managing spousal support matters in divorce and family law cases and will help you plan a legal strategy to best handle these complex issues.
Alimony or Spousal Support Awards - Factors Used
Courts in Florida award alimony after evaluating one spouse’s need for financial support versus the other spouse’s ability to pay such support. In Florida, courts have broad discretion to tailor support awards to each family’s needs. Among the factors Florida courts may consider when awarding alimony, are:
- Length of the marriage
- Age and the physical and emotional condition of both parties
- Financial resources of both parties
- Each parties’ earning capacities and skills
- Each party’s contribution to the marriage including child rearing and assisting in the career building of the other party
- Standard of living during the marriage
Recently Florida has begun acknowledging the responsibilities each party will have after the divorce to the children born of the marriage and the tax consequences to both parties resulting from an award of alimony.
Types of Alimony in Florida
Florida now recognizes several different types of alimony, including:
- Temporary alimony - a non-permanent award during divorce proceedings
- Permanent alimony - normally reserved for long-term marriages of more than 17 years
- Rehabilitative alimony - where one spouse may wish to finish their education or job training in order to be more employable
- Lump sum alimony - which may be awarded from the proceeds of the division of sale of property
- Durational alimony - which may be awarded monthly for a period of time no longer than the length of the marriage
- Bridge-the-gap or transitional alimony - a short-term solution which can allow one spouse the opportunity to financially transition from married to single life
Contact our Orlando Alimony Lawyer Today!
Alimony and spousal support issues are often some of the most bitterly contested matters in a divorce. Whether you are seeking alimony or being asked to pay support, the Orlando alimony Attorneys at The Roberts Family Law Firm will examine your case and work closely with you to determine the best possible outcome for you and your family in resolving these difficult issues. Call us today at (407) 426-6999 or fill out the online form provided on this page and we will contact you shortly. We represent clients in Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Park and throughout Central Florida. Your privacy is very important to us and we will keep your information confidential. Free parking available on site.
5 Star Reviews
★★★★★
Our highly experienced family law attorney has received numerous 5-star reviews from clients with alimony matters. Below are some of them. Please follow the link to read more reviews!
Hire David Roberts if you want to win!
★★★★★
by C.N.
If you want your expectations lowered go meet with many of the other lawyers out there but if you want to formulate a plan to fight for what you believe in and WIN, then hire David Roberts. After deciding to fire my first lawyer, I met with many others before hiring David Roberts. My case was a divorce after 11 years of marriage and 2 kids. As an active Father, my goal was to keep my kids 80% of the time and pay no alimony based on the fact that my wife had her own career, retirement plan and health insurance. I kept being told by all the other lawyers I met with that I needed to lower my expectations. They kept telling me there was no way I would get more than 50% with my kids and I would have to pay alimony because I made almost 3 times as much as my wife. When I met with Mr. Roberts he told me that it would be very hard to get what I wanted and that we would need to formulate a plan to try and make it work. Mr Roberts put together a case plan we followed it and we won! When the case was over I got my kids 80% and I paid no alimony. We also settled in mediation without an expensive and lengthy trial. Doreen Valentin, Mr Roberts’s legal aid was absolutely the best! She made sure I got through all the paperwork and kept all the pleadings and filings organized in a cloud file for easy review. The billing was fair and accurate and when the case was over I even received small refund on the remainder of the retainer.
Best divorce attorney in Orlando
★★★★★
by B.W.
I hired Dave to help me win a modification of an impossibly large alimony payment. A previous attorney failed miserably and everyone said my case was near impossible to win -- especially against a very powerful opposing counsel from a large prestigious firm. To say that Dave "out-lawyered" the opposing counsel would be an understatement. He totally dominated them and outclassed them. He crafted a brilliant legal strategy which was convincing to the judge, worked closely with me developing our case, and gave courtroom performances worthy of the best movies! We won convincingly and my legal fees (which had to be paid to me by ex-wife at the end!) almost half of what opposing counsel billed. Dave's office staff including his paralegals was consistent, available, smart and helpful. Could not ask for a better experience in what was a difficult and stressful situation. Highest recommendation.
★★★★★
by T.B.
I have used Mr Roberts for my ongoing divorce issues, multiple times. I find him, fair, firm and aggressive when needed, he is extremely knowledgeable and helpful in all areas of family law, from custody, alimony, child support and is not afraid to take on the bad guys/girls who often make a court room, their stage. I have found Mr Roberts to be empathetic, and kind to not only me but also multiple other clients of his, I also know. I highly reccomend him and his firm for all your legal divorce needs.No one wants to go through the divorce court process but if you have to so much better to do so with a lawyer that will get you results.
- How to Qualify for Rehabilitative Alimony
- How to Protect Your Rights to Alimony
- What to Look for to Establish a Supportive Relationship in Florida
- Alimony Awards for Spouses in Need of Support
- Alimony And Social Security Retirement Benefits
- Death of a Party Post Divorce - What to do about Alimony and Child Support
- Child Support, Alimony and Taxes in Florida
- Long-Term Marriages and the Dreaded “A”
- Changes to Florida Family Law - Alimony
- Sign alimony reform, pave way for shared parenting
- Florida Alimony overhaul is last bill left in Legislature
- Florida Bar Association's Family Law Section says it no longer supports alimony-reform bill it helped write
- Senate signs off on alimony overhaul
- Alimony overhaul bill clears first House panel