Tampa Spousal Support Attorney
Spousal support, also known as alimony, is awarded during divorce to the lower earning spouse in certain scenarios. It is based on the lower earning spouse’s need, as well as the higher earning spouse’s ability to pay. Additional factors may be relevant in a judge’s decision, if the divorce is carried out in court, such as how the division of marital assets was distributed, or as a means to ensure an additional degree of equity in the divorce. Whether you believe that your spouse owes you spousal support, or you—as the higher earning or more wealthy spouse—wish to limit the degree of spousal support that you pay to your soon-to-be ex-spouse, your best option is to work with an attorney. No matter the circumstances of your divorce, the knowledgeable Tampa spousal support attorneys at The Law Office of Laura A. Olson, P.A. can help you get started.
Types of Spousal Support
There are five types of spousal support in Florida. They are awarded based on the receiving spouse’s perceived need, as well as the paying spouse’s ability to pay.
- Pendente Lite—Awarded during the divorce process (which can take many months or years) in order to help the lower earning spouse maintain his or her accustomed
- Bridge the Gap—Awarded right after the divorce to help the lower earning spouse make the transition to financial independence.
- Rehabilitative—Awarded to pay for education or vocational training.
- Durational—Awarded for a specific number of years, and generally not for multi-decade long marriages.
- Permanent—Awarded in long term marriages until either spouse passes, the receiving spouse remarries, or another major life changing event occurs.
How Spousal Support is Awarded
According to Florida Statute 61.08, the following is taken into consideration when determining how much spousal support should be awarded and what type of spousal support is appropriate:
- The standard of living both parties are accustomed to during the marriage;
- The length of the marriage;
- Each party’s age, physical health, and emotional condition;
- Nonmarital and marital assets and liabilities of each party;
- Education, vocational skills, employability, and earning capacity of each party;
- Time necessary for either party to acquire additional training or education to find viable employment;
- The contribution each party made to the marriage in terms of homemaking, child rearing, and education or career building of the other party;
- Who will have child custody and be responsible for their upbringing;
- The tax treatment and consequences to both parties in any spousal support award;
- All sources of income available to either party; and
- Any other factors that should be considered to have equity and justice in a spousal support award.
Contact an Experienced Tampa Spousal Support Lawyer Today
According to WCJB, there is legislation being considered in the Florida House that could end permanent spousal support for divorced individuals. Instead, spousal support would be capped at half the duration of the marriage unless the children were disabled or the recipient is deemed medically needy. A skilled lawyer will be able to guide you through the most recent laws that apply to your divorce and your potential to either receive or have to pay spousal support.To ensure that your future is financially secure, and that your divorce and spousal support goals are carried out, we urge you to work with The Law Office of Laura A. Olson, P.A. Call us today at 813-222-0888 to schedule a free consultation.
