Alimony: How Much Will It Be?
Jeffrey A. Klein - a Daytona Beach, Florida, Family Law Attorney
How much will it be? Unlike child support, there are no formal guidelines that establish how much alimony you will pay or receive. Alimony payments are limited only by the recipient's need and the payer's ability to pay. The amount of alimony you will pay or receive depends upon a number of factors - the length of the marriage; the standard of living; the support each spouse received from the other ... and while an attorney can use those factors to your advantage, in the end, unless you and your spouse can negotiate a settlement, it is up to the judge to decide.
For a Initial Consultation
Contact me online or call 1-866-819-6032
I am Jeffrey A. Klein, a lawyer focused on family law. I have an accounting background that can help you grapple with complex financial issues involved in alimony. And I have a comprehensive grasp of Florida's family law statutes that a general practitioner would find difficult to match.
What Factors Are At Play In Setting Alimony?
To decide what amount of alimony is fair, the judge will consider a number of things, including:
- Duration of the marriage
- Age and physical condition of each party
- Financial resources of each party (after marital assets are redistributed)
- Contributions made by each party to the marriage
If your marriage lasted 7 years or less, then the recipient spouse probably will not receive permanent alimony. If the marriage lasted 17 years or longer, the recipient spouse probably will receive permanent alimony. Between 7 and 17 years, it is entirely up in the air.
It depends on the factors listed above, and more. Was either spouse financially irresponsible? Did either spouse support the other through education? Or help them get started in a successful career? Who did all the housework?
A Word About "Bridge-The-Gap" Alimony
"Bridge the Gap" alimony is not permanent alimony. It lasts for a few years after the divorce, and it is meant to help the recipient spouse get their feet on the ground. While receiving alimony, one can pursue new career skills, go back to school or even start a business.
But you have to act quickly and decisively in re-ordering your life, because the clock will be ticking. Sooner or later, the payments will stop.
For a initial consultation, call my office today. I can be reached toll-free at 1-866-819-6032 or you can contact me online.
