Helping Fort Myers Couples Work Together To Find Alimony Solutions
The issue of spousal support, or alimony, can be a very sticky one. The breadwinner of the couple may feel that after supporting the homemaker during the marriage, he or she is no longer responsible for his or her partner. The homemaker may feel that after trading in his or her career to take care of the children, he or she should receive financial support.
At Sheldon E. Finman, P.A., we work with our client and the other side to come up with their own solutions through problem-solving family law models. Instead of setting up an adversarial relationship, we will work with our client, his or her spouse, the other lawyer to determine what will work best for each party. We will help our client move forward with an approach of firm for fairness.
Does The Length Of The Marriage Affect Alimony?
The law to determine an award of spousal support depends on the length of the marriage, the need of one spouse, and the ability of the other spouse to provide ongoing financial support.
The Florida alimony statute has been revised to eliminate ongoing, permanent alimony.
What Types Of Alimony Does Florida Have?
In Florida, alimony is a key consideration in divorce proceedings. Our state offers four different kinds:
- Temporary alimony: Provides support during the divorce process.
- Bridge-the-gap alimony: Helps transition from married to single life, covering short-term needs.
- Rehabilitative alimony: Supports education or training to help a spouse become self-sufficient.
- Durational alimony: Provides support for a set time period, not exceeding the length of the marriage unless there is a specific finding of exceptional circumstances. Otherwise, there are specific guidelines dealing with the length of the marriage, which cover the duration of entitlement to alimony. Also, factored into this analysis are guidelines that provide for an amount of an alimony award.
Beyond the length of the marriage, courts consider factors such as each spouse’s financial resources, earning capacities and contributions to the marriage. These elements help determine fair and equitable alimony arrangements.
Helping The Client Understand Tax Considerations For Alimony
Tax implications are crucial when discussing alimony. For agreements made after 2018, alimony payments are not tax-deductible. This is true for both the payer and the recipient. This change affects financial planning and requires careful consideration to ensure both parties understand the impact on their finances. Our family law attorneys can alert the client through these complexities, which will often involve engaging the services of a financial specialist, ensuring the alimony arrangements are tax efficient and beneficial for both parties.
Our Florida Attorneys Can Help Work With You On Alimony Issues
Find out more about solution-based family law and how to make an easier transition through your divorce. Call us at 239-215-4952, or send us an email to schedule an appointment. Our law office is in Fort Myers, and we represent clients throughout Southwest Florida, including Cape Coral.