Maintaining Financial Independence

Various forms of alimony, or spousal support, exist under the law. Since there is no definitive guideline calculation for alimony awards in Florida, alimony tends to be one of the more complex issues in divorce cases. At McGinnis Law Firm, P.A., our experienced family law attorney can explain your options based on the circumstances of your divorce.

Call us at 800-768-2026 to discuss your case with our Brandon spousal support lawyer. We represent clients throughout Tampa and the surrounding counties.

We Can Explain Your Rights And Obligations

Founding attorney Wendy K. McGinnis has practiced family law exclusively for more than 18 years. She has the skills to develop creative solutions to our clients’ divorce issues. We can also help you if you are already divorced and interested in modifying your alimony order as a result of a substantial change in circumstances.

Finding The Solution Best For You

Several types of alimony are available in Florida, including:

• Permanent periodic: typically only available after a long-term marriage and is normally modifiable. Courts will consider the differences in the parties’ abilities to support themselves as well as each party’s contributions to the marriage.

 

• Durational: economic support awarded for a set period of time when permanent support is not appropriate. This type of alimony is always non-modifiable as to duration, but normally modifiable as to amount.

 

• Bridge-the-gap: awarded for two years or less and is non-modifiable. Also called transitional alimony, this type of support assists a spouse with his or her short-term needs during the transition from married person to self-supporting single person.

 

• Lump-sum payment: sometimes used to equalize asset division, this support is non-modifiable and limited to a single payment or installments rather than ongoing periodic payments.

 

• Temporary: helps one party with his or her expenses from the time divorce is filed until the final judgment is entered.

 

• Rehabilitative: designed to help a spouse obtain the education, training or experience necessary to become self-supporting. This type of alimony must be part of a defined rehabilitative plan.

In deciding which type of alimony is appropriate, judges consider the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial resources, the age and health of both parties, and the standard of living established during the marriage. Judges also look at the parties’ different contributions to the marriage, such as sacrifices made by one spouse to support the other’s educational or career aspirations.

Contact Our Firm

To learn more about how our Brandon alimony lawyer can help you with your spousal support issue, call us at 800-768-2026 or contact us online. We provide free consultations.