Destin Divorce Attorney John Greene Helping Clients Throughout Northwest Florida

Giving You the Support You Deserve
    

My husband walked out of our marriage after 24 years, served me with papers, and cut off the money. I had always been a stay at home mom. I have taken a few college courses, but have no job skills. My ex made a ridiculous offer to pay alimony for 2 years. Mr. Greene took my case and now my ex will be paying me alimony every month for the rest of my life
Posted by Rene (Google)

I never saw it coming then one day my husband served me with divorce papers. He moved out and crippled our finances. What do I do now?

Immediately get in touch with an experienced divorce attorney who will request the Court to grant you temporary relief, to include use and occupancy of the marital residence and vehicle, child support, alimony, attorney’s fees and suit monies.

I have 39 years of courtroom experience. I will help you understand the process and quickly file the necessary pleadings on your behalf. I will fight tenaciously for you to get what is rightfully yours.

GET THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT
YOU NEED AND DESERVE

CALL 850-424-6833

Types of Alimony in Florida

In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage in Florida, the court may award alimony to either party in the form of temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative or durational alimony. In any ward of alimony the court may order any combination of those forms of alimony to be paid periodically, as a lump sum, or both. The court may consider the adultery of either spouse and the circumstance thereof in determining the amount of alimony, if any, to be awarded. Permanent alimony was eliminated by the Florida Legislature in July 2023.

The court shall first make a specific factual determination as to whether either party has an actual need for alimony and whether the other party has the ability to pay alimony. In determining the proper type and amount of alimony, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:

  • The standard of living established during the marriage.
  • The duration of the marriage.
  • The age and the physical and emotional condition of each party.
  • The financial resources of each party.
  • The earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability of the parties.
  • The tax consequences of any alimony award.

For purposes of determining alimony, there is a rebuttable presumption that a short term marriage is a marriage having a duration of less than 10 years, a moderate marriage is a marriage having a duration between 10 and 20 years, and a long term marriage is a marriage having a duration of 20 years or longer.

Bridge-The-Gap Alimony

Assists a party with legitimate identifiable short term needs. The length of an award of bridge­-the-gap alimony may not exceed 2 years and terminates upon the death of either party or upon remarriage of the recipient spouse. Bridge-the-gap alimony is not modifiable in amount or duration.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Assists a party in establishing the capacity for self-support through the redevelopment of previous skills, education, training or work experience. There must be a specific and defined rehabilitative plan in order to award rehabilitative alimony. The length or an award or rehabilitative alimony may not exceed 5 years and may be modified or terminated in accordance with FS 61.14.

Durational Alimony

Provides a party with economic assistance for a set period of time. An award of durational alimony terminates upon the death of either party or upon remarriage of the recipient spouse. The amount of an award of durational alimony may be modified or terminated based upon a substantial change in circumstances in accordance with FS 61.14. Durational alimony may not be awarded following a marriage lasting less than 3 years. The length of an award of durational alimony may only be modified under exceptional circumstances.

An award of durational alimony may not exceed 50 percent of the length of a short term marriage, 60 percent of the length of a moderate term marriage, or 75 percent of the length of a long term marriage. The amount of durational alimony is the amount determined to be the recipient’s reasonable need, or an amount not to exceed 35 percent of the difference between the parties’ net incomes, whichever amount is less.

Florida courts have the authority to direct that any order requiring the payment of alimony that the payments be made through the appropriate depository as provided in FS 61.181. A life insurance policy may be required to the extent necessary to protect an award of alimony.