St. Petersburg Alimony Attorney

Comprehensive Overview of Florida Alimony Laws

People who divorce in Florida typically have a very limited understanding of laws governing alimony and some fall victim to widely held misconceptions. Alimony is a husband or wife’s court-ordered payments for the support of another spouse. One of the underlying reasons for support is to enable the dependent spouse to maintain the standard of living achieved during the marriage. A skilled alimony lawyer can ensure a fair settlement by demonstrating to the court the length of your marriage, the standard of living you had, and our contributions to the marriage. Unlike child support, which is covered by very direct statutory guidelines, divorcing couples and the courts have substantial latitude when it comes to settling the issue of alimony.

Sometimes called spousal support or maintenance, alimony may be very significant or it may not be awarded at all. If you know or suspect that this will be a contested issue in your divorce, the knowledge and experience of the alimony attorney you consult can make a major difference in how much you ultimately pay or receive.

Effective Mediation and Litigation for Alimony Disputes

Emerson Law, P.A. encourages negotiation or mediation to resolve any alimony dispute if possible. Should other efforts to reach an agreement break down, however, our dedicated alimony lawyers are always prepared to litigate skillfully and assertively to protect our clients’ interests.

Some basic considerations regarding alimony in Florida include:

• An alimony plan can be created by the parties involved or ordered by a judge, and it may include monthly payments, a lump sum of money, other property or all of these;
• The factors used in determining alimony/spousal maintenance include the length of the marriage, financial resources of both parties, ages and health, past contributions to the marriage and many more; and
• Six different types of alimony may be agreed to or ordered: temporary, rehabilitative, bridge-the-gap, permanent periodic, lump sum and durational alimony.

Key Factors Influencing Alimony Amounts in St. Petersburg

In St. Petersburg, the amount of alimony awarded during a divorce is influenced by several key factors:

• The court considers the length of the marriage, with longer marriages often resulting in higher or longer alimony payments. 
• The financial resources and earning capacity of both spouses are also critical, including income, assets, and liabilities. 
• The standard of living established during the marriage plays a significant role, as the court aims to ensure that neither party experiences an undue decline in their lifestyle. 
• Additionally, the contributions of each spouse to the marriage, whether financial or non-financial, such as homemaking or supporting the other’s career, are taken into account. 
• Lastly, the physical and emotional condition of each spouse, along with their age, can influence the court’s decision. 

These factors collectively guide the court in determining a fair and equitable alimony arrangement.

Contact Us for Alimony Enforcement Assistance

If you have an order for spousal support and are not getting paid, the other party may also owe you attorney’s fees for your efforts to enforce your rights. Call Emerson Law, P.A. for a Consultation on alimony enforcement.