What does Florida consider when awarding alimony?

When your Florida marriage ends, you may worry about whether you are going to be able to support yourself without the help of your one-time partner. If so, you may decide to seek alimony in your divorce. The state of Florida recognizes four types of alimony: bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational or permanent.

When deciding whether to award you one or more of the types of alimony it recognizes, the state refers to the same set of factors. What are some of the variables the state considers when making determinations about alimony?

Your financial resources and earning potential

Your financial resources, and those of your ex, help determine whether you receive alimony in your divorce. So, too, do your future career prospects and marketable skill levels. The harder it may be for you to find gainful employment after a divorce, the more likely you may be to receive an alimony award.

The standard of living to which you have become accustomed

Typically, once a marriage ends, Florida courts try to give you and your ex a similar standard of living to the one you enjoyed while your marriage was intact. If your ex stands to enjoy a much higher standard of living than you after a split, this may boost your alimony chances.

Contributions to the marriage

How much each of you contributed to your marriage also helps determine whether you get alimony. If you made considerable professional sacrifices for the sake of the marriage, this may improve your chances of securing alimony.

Please note that these are some, but not all, of the variables that help determine whether you receive alimony in a Florida divorce.

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