Guidance from a Skilled Alimony Attorney in Sarasota

Settle Your Alimony Matters with the Help of an Experienced Legal Team

As you file for divorce, you have probably started to worry about how you are going to financially support yourself once the process is finalized. Perhaps you quit your job to care for your children and growing family. As you contemplate being a single parent, you worry about whether you will be able to secure adequate employment.

Whether you have been married for a short period of time or for many years, you may be entitled to alimony, or financial assistance, from your ex-spouse. An experienced and compassionate Venice family lawyer from our firm may be able to obtain the alimony you need to move on with your life.

How Does Alimony Work in Florida?

Under Florida law, alimony may also be known as “maintenance.” Alimony is required in situations where one spouse may not be able to financially support themselves during and/or after the divorce.

Marriage length is an important factor when determining alimony. Marriages may be classified as short, moderate, or long-term:

Short-term – Less than seven years;

Moderate-term – Seven or more years, but less than 17 years;

Long-term – 17 or more years.

• What Qualifies You for Alimony in FL?

  When deciding alimony matters, a Florida court reviews the following aspects:
• The duration of the marriage
• The standard of living upheld during the marriage
• The financial situation of the spouse seeking alimony
• The earning capacity and sources of income of each spouse
• The age, physical and emotional condition of each spouse

Does Florida Have Permanent Alimony?

Florida has multiple types of alimony, including permanent alimony. If a marriage has lasted at least 17 years, a judge may grant permanent alimony to the spouse who is in financial need.

Types of Alimony in Florida:

1. Temporary - This type of alimony helps the recipient remain financially stable during the divorce process and ends when the divorce is finalized.

2. Bridge-the-gap - Florida is one of few states that offer bridge-the-gap alimony. This type of spousal support assists the recipient with short-term needs during the transition from married to single.

3. Rehabilitative - The court awards rehabilitative support in cases where one spouse can become self-supporting but needs time and financial assistance to develop the necessary skills to enter the workforce.

4. Durational - If a spouse doesn’t qualify for permanent alimony, the court may award durational alimony. Much like rehabilitative support, the court sets a time limit for the alimony. However, in this case, a plan to enter the workforce is not required.

5. Permanent - Permanent alimony is awarded in cases where the supported spouse will be unable to become self-supporting in the future (i.e., due to disability or advanced age). The court will also factor in the length of the couple’s marriage when awarding permanent alimony.

Legal orders like alimony can be modified if an individual's circumstances change after the divorce is settled.

Contact Attorney Sara Sawyer Boeller Today

If you are worried and stressed about your post-divorce financial situation and wish to seek alimony, you have come to the right place. At Boeller Law, P.A., our Venice alimony lawyer is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator who is known for offering skilled and compassionate legal representation in the Sarasota and Charlotte Counties of Florida. You can greatly benefit from her one-of-a-kind approach, which draws from her graduate studies in mental health counseling.

Speak to our alimony attorney, by contacting our Sarasota divorce firm today. We are ready to stand by your side and resolve your case in the most efficient way possible.