Jacksonville Florida Alimony Attorneys
A major point of contention in many divorces is alimony. Alimony is the legal obligation for one spouse to pay support to another following a divorce. Alimony awards are based on a number of factors and financial conditions. An alimony lawyer works to make sure nothing is left uncovered and that the spouses are not hiding/withholding any of their money or assets.
The attorneys at J. Demere Mason, P.A. can protect your rights and help you obtain a fair alimony settlement in your divorce. We have over 35 years of combined experience representing both sides in alimony disputes. Whether you are trying to secure a higher award, minimize the amount you are required to pay or obtain an alimony modification, we can help.
There are six types of alimony in Florida and a number of factors used in determining if a spouse is entitled to receive it and if so, how much:
- Permanent Alimony: Usually awarded in longer-term marriages (at least 7 years typically), permanent alimony is designed to allow Florida spouses who have not worked during the marriage or have a significantly lower earning potential the ability to enjoy the same standard of living as during the marriage.
- Rehabilitative Alimony:This is awarded for a set period of time based on a rehabilitative plan. For example, if one spouse has foregone their education or career to raise children, rehabilitative alimony can be awarded while he/she goes back to school and/or seeks the necessary training to re-enter the workforce.
- Durational Alimony: This is typically awarded in shorter to medium length marriages wherein a permanent award is not appropriate. Durational alimony can be given for a set number of years and unlike rehabilitative alimony, the payee does not need to present a rehabilitative plan.
- Bridge-the-Gap Alimony: This is a short-term form of alimony not exceeding two years that is designed to help one spouse make a smoother transition from married to single life.
- Temporary Alimony: Temporary alimony is awarded for a very short duration to cover living expenses from the time the petition for divorce is filed until the final divorce decree is issued.
- Lump Sum Alimony: This is a one-time payment used to either compensate for living expenses or equalize the distribution of assets.
Some of the factors the court will consider in determining the type of alimony and the amount of the award include:
- Duration of Marriage: Longer marriages tend to create a stronger dependence when one spouse is the primary earner.
- Income: How much money each spouse earns per year and how much each has earned over the course of the marriage.
- Age and Health of Each Spouse: In some cases, age and health can drastically affect a spouse’s ability to re-enter the workforce and support themselves.
- Standard of Living: This refers to how the couple lived during their marriage; e.g. the value of their home, car(s) and property, types of vacation taken, etc.
- Financial Resources: The income, assets and liabilities of each spouse.
- Earning Potential: In many divorces, a spouse will need to go through some kind of educational training in order to earn an amount that gives them the ability to maintain a similar standard of living.
- Spousal Contributions: This includes sacrifices made by one spouse during the marriage such as supporting the other during school and giving up their career to care for the children.
The court may also take into account any children that need support as well as incurred debt and property owned. A judge will then decide on a reasonable amount of alimony.
If you are in need of an alimony lawyer in the Jacksonville area, contact the legal team at Mason Family Law. Our attorneys will guide you through all the intricate details of your divorce. Those details could make a significant difference in the outcome of your case and the amount of alimony you are either awarded or required to pay. Call our office today at 904-726-8589 to discuss your case.