In Florida, there are six forms of alimony. They are:
- Temporary
- Bridge the Gap
- Lump Sum
- Rehabilitative
- Durational
- Permanent Periodic
Durational alimony is a “new” type of alimony that was voted into law by the Florida Legislature in 2010. Durational alimony was created to provide economic help for a spouse for a set period following a marriage that lasts for a brief, to moderate, period time. Its only limitation is that the maximum period for which durational alimony is paid cannot exceed the length of the marriage.
So, let’s take a more thorough look at the other 5 types of alimony allowed under Florida law.
Temporary Alimony – used so that the household bills are paid until the divorce is final.
Bridge-the-gap alimony – used to let a party to the divorce transition from being married ,to being not married, and is usually given for a short time. By law, it cannot be given for more than two years.
Lump Sum Alimony – a type of alimony that allows for an agreed sum of cash to be allocated to the receiver in a lump sum, or in agreed upon increments. It is not subject to modification.
Rehabilitative Alimony – a tool that courts use to give a person the ability to become self-sufficient by learning skills needed to reenter the workforce.
Permanent Periodic Alimony – given to one of the divorcing couple so that the person can continue the lifestyle she, or he, enjoyed while married on an ongoing basis. As one might guess from the name it is ongoing until one of the divorced couple dies.
Florida Courts Can Modify or End Alimony
Per Florida Statute 61.14 titled “Enforcement and Modification of Support, Maintenance, or Alimony Agreements or Orders” there are several reasons for modifying or terminating alimony including alimony that is permanent.
Following are some of the common reasons that courts use to end or lower alimony.
1 If the spouse receiving alimony enters a supportive relationship with another person and the court is satisfied with the proof offered concerning the supportive relationship, it can modify or reduce the amount of alimony paid to the spouse receiving alimony. A supportive relationship is one where a person receiving alimony allows another person to reside with them. This person either contributes to cover the expenses of running the household, or is a recipient of things such as food, entertainment, shelter, and more. It is up to the person paying the alimony to ask the court for relief, and provide the court with proof of a supportive relationship.
2 If financial circumstances for the payor change to a degree that makes the payment of alimony ordered by the court, or agreed to by the parties, he or she can petition the court to modify the amount of alimony. Likewise, if the payee has an improvement of her, or his, financial circumstances the payor can ask the court to modify the alimony amount.
3 Rehabilitative alimony can be modified or ended if the payee of the alimony fails to follow through on her or his plan for rehabilitation to obtain work
If you are paying alimony and feel that circumstances have changed so that a reduction of alimony, or the termination of alimony, is justified, contact The Grafton Group. We are experienced in collecting and documenting evidence that can help you.