If you’ve been married for several years and make less money than your spouse, you could qualify for durational alimony. Your Tampa divorce lawyer can help determine whether this type of spousal support applies to your situation and how long it will last. Typically, the court will grant this type of alimony when there is no need for permanent spousal support.
Years of Marriage
In Florida, alimony can’t last longer than the length of the marriage, and depending on the circumstances, the timeframe could include months or years after the divorce. Durational alimony is granted based on how long a couple was married:
- Short-Term Marriage: 7 years or less
- Moderate-Term Marriage: 8 to 16 years
- Long-Term Marriage: 17 years or more
A Fair Review Process
The court must verify that the paying spouse can cover the amount requested and take into account the circumstances surrounding the divorce. Several factors will determine whether durational alimony applies, including:
- Finances
- All sources of income
- Earning capacity
- Standard of living
- Age, physical, and emotional condition of each spouse
- Taxation consequences of alimony payments
- Childrearing responsibilities of each parent
If you think you qualify for durational alimony, speak to an experienced divorce attorney; they’re your best advocate for protecting your rights during the dissolution of a marriage.