Alimony is a touchy subject for some couples simply because of the uncertainty surrounding the topic. Many people don’t want to admit that they need their ex’s support if the marriage ends, while the ex doesn’t want to have to provide support. There are some points regarding Florida alimony that residents might find interesting, especially those who are going through a divorce.
Alimony payments in Florida aren’t necessarily a way of life. That is to say that the payments aren’t usually meant to last a lifetime. Many alimony orders in Florida are limited as to how long they can be paid.
In the case of bridge-the-gap alimony, the limit on payments is two years. For durational alimony, the time limit of the payments is the number of years the couple was married. That means a couple that is married for six years would have a six-year limit on alimony payments. Rehabilitative alimony payments are also temporary. These are subject to a plan for the recipient to get what he or she needs to go back to work to support him- or herself.
In some cases, alimony might be ordered only for a single payment. This is known as lump sum alimony.
For any type of alimony in Florida, there are other conditions under which the alimony will be stopped. If either party dies, alimony ends. If the recipient gets remarried, the alimony ends.
As you can see, dealing with alimony issues can be complex when you start to consider the long list of factors that go into making a decision about an alimony award. Because alimony is a big financial factor, it is important to keep your rights and best interests protected throughout the process for determining the alimony arrangements.
Source: Online Sunshine, “The 2014 Florida Statutes 61.08 Alimony” Sep. 11, 2014