Tampa Alimony Attorney
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Tampa Alimony Lawyers
Navigating through a divorce can be a complex and emotional process, especially when complex decisions such as property division, child support, and alimony come into play. That’s why hiring a strong team of Tampa divorce attorneys is so important to help you through the spousal support negotiation process.
The attorneys at Quinn & Lynch P.A., a leading family law firm in the Tampa Bay area, have decades of combined experience handling even the most complex divorce cases. Our divorce attorneys have extensive knowledge of Florida’s alimony laws, so you can rest assured that your Tampa alimony attorney will help you achieve the most fair settlement agreement possible.
Call our Tampa alimony attorneys at 813-223-7739 to schedule a consultation today.
What is Alimony?
Alimony, often referred to as spousal support, is a financial obligation imposed by a family law court, where one spouse is required to provide support, financially speaking, to the other after a marriage ends. This is distinct from child support and focuses on the economic disparities between the spouses caused by the divorce.
The goal is to limit unfair economic impacts by providing enough income to non-wage-earning or lower-wage-earning parties. An alimony attorney at Quinn & Lynch P.A. can help you navigate this process.
Types of Spousal Support in Florida
Florida recognizes several types of alimony, each designed for specific circumstances during and after the divorce process.
Temporary Alimony
A court may award temporary spousal support during divorce proceedings that conclude with the finalization of the divorce.
Bridge-The-Gap Alimony
Bridge-the-gap aims to assist the receiving spouse with the transition away from the marriage. It covers identifiable short-term needs, such as moving expenses, and should not exceed two years.
Rehabilitative Alimony
This supports parties who need training, education, or experience to gain appropriate employment. The recipient must present a specific and defined rehabilitative plan to the judge to qualify for this.
Durational Alimony
Durational alimony is provided for a set period post-divorce. The court will use this when no other type suits the situation.
Permanent Alimony
Before 2023, a judge could award permanent alimony to provide for the needs of spouses lacking the financial ability to meet needs as they were established while the marriage lasted. However, in July 2023, Florida changed spousal support laws to remove both permanent alimony and permanent periodic alimony options for divorcing couples (SB 1416).
It’s crucial to seek guidance surrounding alimony laws from a Tampa spousal support lawyer at Quinn & Lynch P.A. An experienced alimony lawyer can help you understand and negotiate your spousal support options post-divorce.
How is Alimony Calculated in Florida
When determining alimony, the initial questions are: does the requester need it, and can the other party provide it?
From there, Florida judges meticulously analyze various factors outlined in state law, including the length of the marriage, financial resources (i.e., non-marital or marital assets), the standard of living established during the marriage, and the physical or emotional condition of each ex-spouse. A Tampa property division attorney can give you more insight on how these factors can affect alimony in the final judgment.
The judge also examines the earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, employability, and time requirements for acquiring sufficient education or training for employment. Services rendered to promote the marriage’s best interests, such as child care for minor children, homemaking, and career building of the other party, are also considered.
For more information about how these factors can affect alimony and child support payments, consult a Tampa child support attorney at our law firm.
Given each case’s complex and individual nature, hiring a Tampa alimony attorney at Quinn & Lynch P.A. An experienced Tampa divorce attorney quickly becomes invaluable when the need to negotiate spousal support in court arises.
How Much Alimony Can Spouses Receive in Florida?
Alimony amounts vary, but one of the biggest factors is the relative incomes of the ex-spouses. The general rule in Florida is that barring special circumstances, the spousal support can’t leave the paying party with significantly less than the receiver.
Additionally, durational alimony cannot exceed the recipient’s reasonable financial needs or 35% of the difference between each spouse’s net pay, whichever is less. Hiring an experienced alimony lawyer can help your ability to negotiate spousal support payments.
How Long Does Alimony Last in Florida?
The duration of spousal support in Florida varies significantly depending on the type of alimony awarded.
Temporary Alimony: This type ends once the divorce is final.
Bridge-The-Gap Alimony: This typically doesn’t last over two years. This expires if one spouse dies or gets remarried.
Rehabilitative Alimony: Rehabilitative spousal support will not last longer than five years unless the recipient needs over five years to complete the training or education requirements outlined in the rehabilitative plan.
Durational Alimony: This spousal support will last 50% of the length of a short-term marriage (less than ten years), 60% of the length of a moderate-term marriage (10 to 20 years), and 75% of the length of a long-term marriage (over 20 years).
Can You Change Alimony Awards in Florida?
Whether or not you can change spousal support awards in Florida depends on the type awarded.
Temporary: Temporary spousal support can only be changed during the divorce litigation process.
Bridge-The-Gap: This is not modifiable in amount or duration in Florida.
Rehabilitative: Changes to rehabilitative alimony may be considered for failure to comply with the rehabilitation plan, completion of the rehabilitation plan, or if there’s a substantial change in circumstances.
Durational: Durational alimony can only be modified in amount, but not in length, except under exceptional circumstances such as sudden unemployment or loss of pay, new long-term disability, sudden and substantial medical expenses, the retirement of the paying party, or if the receiving party enters into a financially supportive relationship.
Can Alimony Change if a Spouse Retires?
Yes, Florida law states that spousal support can be reduced or terminated if the paying spouse has reached normal retirement age, has taken necessary steps to retire, and has proved that their retirement reduces their ability to pay alimony.
An experienced alimony attorney can help renegotiate these terms.
Can Alimony Change if a Receiving Spouse Enters Into a New Relationship?
New relationships can impact spousal support payments in Florida. If the recipient cohabits in a marriage-like way, alimony may be reduced or terminated.
However, each case is unique and subject to the interpretation and discretion of the court. It’s essential to consult with the knowledgeable divorce attorneys at Quinn & Lynch P.A. to understand how these changes might impact alimony in your specific situation.
Alimony Paid Through Income Withholding
In Florida, alimony payments can be efficiently managed through enforcement actions such as income withholding orders, ensuring a consistent and timely transfer of funds from the payer to the recipient. This method allows the alimony amount to be directly deducted from the payer’s wages, much like child support.
Implementing an enforcement action requires a legal order, and the specifics can vary depending on the divorce and alimony agreement circumstances. An experienced Tampa, FL, alimony attorney at Quinn & Lynch P.A. can guide you through the process of setting up withholding for alimony payments, ensuring compliance with Florida law and the terms of your alimony arrangement.
Can You Avoid Alimony Payments in Florida?
Court-ordered alimony payments outlined in a divorce settlement agreement cannot be avoided in Florida. However, there are legal ways to potentially modify or negotiate the obligations, depending on changes in circumstances or the financial status of either party.
It’s crucial to approach this matter under the guidance of a skilled Florida alimony attorney. Failing to pay alimony without court approval can lead to serious legal repercussions, including contempt of court charges.
The Tampa alimony attorneys at Quinn & Lynch P.A. are adept at navigating the complexities of spousal support payments in Florida and can offer strategic advice on dealing with these financial obligations legally and effectively.
Call a Tampa Alimony Lawyer at Quinn & Lynch P.A. Today
Facing alimony issues in a divorce can be both financially and emotionally distressing. It’s essential to have an experienced, compassionate, and skilled alimony attorney like those at Quinn & Lynch P.A. on your side. Our alimony lawyers have decades of combined experience representing clients going through even the most complex divorce cases in the Tampa area and are committed to guiding clients through the complexities of Florida alimony and family law.
When you work with an alimony lawyer at our law firm, you can rest assured your alimony attorney will strive for a fair and equitable resolution. For expert advice and representation, don’t hesitate to contact an alimony lawyer at Quinn & Lynch P.A. by calling 813-223-7739 today.
Contact Our Experienced, Dedicated Divorce & Family Law Lawyers Today
As a dedicated family law practice in the Tampa Bay area, we work one on one with our clients, resulting in representation that is characterized by genuine care and understanding. If you are dealing with divorce or other family law issues, please contact at 813-223-7739 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced family and divorce attorneys.
