The Definition of Permanent Alimony in Florida

Durational support is like rehabilitative support, except a specific and defined plan isn't required. Both rehabilitative and durational support have time limitations set by the court. Durational support is appropriate where a supported spouse needs financial assistance for a specified period but does not meet the conditions for permanent alimony in Florida. The support period for durational alimony should not outlast the duration of the marriage. Rehabilitative support is popular in Florida. It gets awarded if a spouse could become self-sufficient, given financial assistance and time to acquire education, work experience, training, or skills to enter the job market. Spouses should prepare a defined and specific plan before the court awards rehabilitative support. Temporary alimony gets granted to a spouse who needs financial help during a protracted divorce. The spouses requesting temporary support should demonstrate a need and show the court that the other spouse has the wherewithal.

Temporary support helps low-income earning spouses to remain stable during a lengthy divorce. It ends after the judge dissolves the marriage. Bridge-the-gap support is rare in other states. The support helps the receiving spouse to meet legitimate intermediate needs as they transition to singlehood. The spouse in need can use the money to pay bills or living expenses as they wait for an asset to sell or to find employment after divorce. There is a time limit for bridge-the-gap support. The payments get terminated if the paying spouse dies or when the beneficiary remarries.

Many people think that only a woman can request spousal support. That is not the case. Either spouse has the right to spousal support provided they prove a need and demonstrate that the other spouse has the wherewithal. The judge evaluates several other factors before granting spousal support. They can assess the living standards of spouses during the marriage, the duration of the marriage, the emotional and physical health of spouses, the financial resources of spouses, etc. The judge has the discretion to determine alimony terms because there is no standard formula stipulated in the law.