Finances are frequently a cause of marital discord for couples in Florida. While arguments about finances often occur prior to and during a marriage, these arguments are likely to carry over if the couple seeks a divorce. As a previous post noted, some divorcing couples with request spousal support as a means to ensure he or she is able to afford their post-divorce life. Whether it is because they were used to a certain standard of living or they seek to go back to school, alimony can make a huge difference for a spouse post-divorce.
What are alimony awards based on? An alimony award is based on more than the fact that a spouse requested it and has shown a need or want for it. The underlying point of spousal is to address any unfair financial disparities that might occur once the marriage has ended. Thus, an alimony award provides ongoing financial support to the spouse who earns less than his or her ex. One reason behind alimony has been to address situations in which one spouse chose to stay out of the workforce in order to take care of the household. Thus, this spouse requires time to develop job skills so she or he can now support him or herself.
Having a request for alimony approved is only the beginning of the process. The amount of these payments must be determined, and this is accomplished by assessing certain factors related to the couple’s union. The factors that play a major role on an award of spousal support include the how old the parties are, the parties’ physical and emotional health, how long it would take for a recipient spouse to obtain an education or train for a job, the standard of living the couple enjoyed while married, how long the couple was married and whether the paying party is able to both pay alimony and meet his or her own financial needs.
Once the amount is determined, the court will establish the length of time this award should go on for. This is also based on the above factors and could result in a wide range of alimony awards.
If you are thinking about filing for divorce or are going through the divorce process, it is important to understand all the possible factors. This means considering your rights to alimony. While spousal support might not be necessary for all divorcing spouses, it may be necessary for some. Thus, it is important to understand whether or not you are entitled to this financial award.