When you and your former spouse divorce, one of you may have reason to pursue alimony from the other. Florida recognizes four different types of alimony: bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, durational and permanent alimony. The state references the same set of variables when deciding whether to award you any of these types.
What are some of the variables that help determine whether you receive an alimony award in your divorce?
The length of your marriage
The duration of your marriage may factor in when determining whether you receive alimony. Typically, the state considers a marriage that lasts less than seven years a short one, a marriage that lasts between seven and 17 years a moderate-term one, and one that lasts 17 years or longer a long one.
Your standard of living
The state may also refer to the standard of living you came to know during your marriage when deciding if you should receive alimony. Courts may make efforts to allow you to continue to live a similar lifestyle to that which you did during your marriage.
Your education and skill levels
The state also considers your ability to make a living in the absence of your partner when making decisions about alimony. In doing so, your level of education and vocational skillsets, or lack thereof, may undergo review. Your former spouse’s level of education and employability may also come into play.
Your contributions to the marriage
Your chances of receiving alimony may improve if you made sacrifices during your marriage that benefited your former partner. If your efforts allowed him or her to build a successful career or achieve a high level of education, for example, this may improve your alimony chances.
While these are some of the factors Florida considers when making alimony decisions, other areas of your life, and your ex’s, may also undergo review.