Spousal Support

It is important to chose an experienced family law attorney who knows Florida law before choosing a lawyer and going to divorce court.

Spousal Support is a situation wherein one spouse helps to support the other spouse during and after the divorce. Spousal Support depends on many factors such as the length of the marriage, the need for support, the earning capacity of the spouse, the amount of education and the disparity in earnings between the parties.

There are six types of Spousal Support in Florida: Permanent Periodic, Periodic, Lump Sum, Rehabilitative, Bridge-the-Gap and Durational. Spousal Support awarded after a divorce can be temporary or permanent and is designed to provide the lower-income spouse with money for living expenses and maintaining the marital lifestyle.

Permanent Periodic Spousal Support is awarded when there is a long term marriage, usually in excess of seventeen years and there is a substantial disparity in earning potential between spouses.

Lump Sum Spousal Support is typically one payment from one spouse to the other outside of equitable distribution of the parties marital assets. Rehabilitative Spousal Support is appropriate when one spouse has been out of the workforce for a period of time, but who, with training, can become self-supporting.

Rehabilitative Spousal Support requires a written plan for the receiving spouse to become self-supporting and is limited to the time necessary to obtain the proper training.
Bridge-the-Gap Spousal Support is limited to two years duration and is designed to help the receiving spouse adjust to living on his or her own again.

Durational Spousal Support is a new type of Spousal Support for situations which require support longer than bridge-the-gap, but where permanent periodic is not appropriate.

*The material stated above should not be considered as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are in need of legal advice concerning divorce, you are encouraged to contact one of our experienced divorce attorneys who can assist you with your questions or concerns.