Alimony is one spouse’s court-ordered provision for the other spouse for financial support after a divorce. There are a few different types of alimony in the state of Florida, and here are the most common ones.
Rehabilitative
If one of the spouses is unable to be self-sufficient when the divorce papers are served, then rehabilitative alimony may be available. This type of alimony is temporary, and it is used to support the underemployed or unemployed spouse to be able to get the education or training they need to become self supporting. This alimony can be used to pay for a high school, college, or postgraduate degree, as well as vocational training, technical training, or starting a business.
Permanent
Divorce lawyers call this permanent alimony because it continues indefinitely, just as the name suggests. This is only awarded when one spouse will not be able to support themselves in the future to the same standard they had during the marriage. This is generally awarded for long-term marriages of at least 17 years or more. It typically is awarded to spouses who were full-time parents or homemakers, or spouses who have not worked outside the home for a long time.
Durational
Durational alimony is designed to provide one spouse with financial support for only a set period of time. For example, the alimony may be paid from the time the divorce papers are finalized until the youngest child turns 18. This type of alimony is typically used for short or moderate marriage durations, which is up to 17 years.
Bridge-the-Gap
Bridge-the-gap alimony is similar to durational and rehabilitative in that it’s not permanent. It can also be known as term or temporary alimony. It is used to “bridge the gap” for one spouse to transition from married life to single life. Often times, people need divorce help, and they also need help rearranging their finances after a divorce. It can take a while for one spouse to get back on their feet, so they require financial assistance. Bridge-the-gap only lasts for up to several years.
Couples therapists say that 50% of their caseload is therapy as a result of infidelity. If your marriage is ending because of infidelity, or any other reason, there may be alimony involved. Understanding these different types of alimony in Florida is important if you’re going through a divorce. For any divorce help that you may need, contact our divorce law firm today.
