Many people going through a divorce come to us worried about how their financial situation may suffer when they are completely on their own. These worries are more pronounced when the other spouse is in a far better situation than they are. Spousal support is one way that the court looks out for the spouse who has less earning power than the other.

There are two types of spousal support in a Florida divorce:

• Permanent alimony – this is awarded when one party will not be able to meet their needs and necessities of life. This alimony can be paid monthly or in a lump sum.
• Temporary alimony – the lower-earning spouse may need time to get back on their feet or take steps to increase their earning power. Temporary alimony will be for a lower period of time.

For permanent alimony, the court will consider both the spouse’s need for support and their ability to possibly improve their own situation. This type of alimony is rarer. Temporary alimony is awarded based on the needs of the spouse.

Alimony is not automatic by any stretch. A court is trying to balance the interests of both spouses. It does not want to deprive the paying spouse of their ability to support themselves if they cannot afford the alimony payments. Alimony will depend on a number of factors, including the standard of living established by the two spouses during the marriage. Still, courts will try to be fair to both spouses.

Contact a St. John’s County Family Law Attorney

If you are going through a divorce, an attorney can help facilitate the process while looking out for your legal interests. Call the attorneys at Naples & Spence at 904.479.8964 or send us a message to schedule a time to talk about your matter.