West Palm Beach Alimony Attorney
Alimony, or spousal support, is a payment made by the higher earning spouse to the lower earning spouse during divorce and/or after divorce is finalized. For the receiving spouse, alimony can be a crucial financial tool used to get back on their feet following divorce, or a means for supporting themselves after divorce if they are elderly or otherwise unlikely to be able to find a job that would provide them the type of lifestyle they become accustomed to during the marriage. For the paying spouse, alimony can be a constant financial drain, making it impossible to get ahead. Whether you are likely going to be the paying or receiving spouse, the West Palm Beach alimony attorneys here at Bruce S. Rosenwater & Associates, P.A., can help you reach a fair and reasonable outcome in your divorce case.
The Four Basic Types of Alimony
- Bridge the Gap Alimony—Divorce takes many months. During this time, the lower earning spouse may require financial assistance to pay rent, bills, and groceries. Bridge the gap alimony is used during divorce to help the lower earning spouse maintain his or her lifestyle until the divorce is final.
- Rehabilitative Alimony—Rehabilitative alimony is used to help the lower earning spouse pay for education or vocational training in order to get a new job or change careers after divorce. The receiving spouse must create a detailed plan for how the money will be used.
- Durational Alimony—Durational alimony is paid for a set period of time that cannot be changed, though the amount can be modified if there is a substantial change in circumstances.
- Permanent Alimony—Permanent alimony is generally paid until either spouse dies or the receiving spouse remarries.
Alimony is often paid out monthly, but in some cases it can be paid in a lump sum form. Lump sum alimony is sometimes used in equitable distribution of assets.
Factors Used to Determine Alimony
- Age and health of each spouse;
- Likelihood and capability of the lower earning spouse becoming financially independent, including earning capacity, education, and vocational skills;
- Which spouse, if either, is now the primary parent caring for the couple’s minor children;
- Contributions each spouse made to the marriage. These contributions include financial and non financial. Example of a non financial contributions include being a homemaker and raising children;
- Contributions the lower earning spouse made to the higher earning spouse’s career or education;
- How marital assets were divided;
- Tax consequences of alimony;
- Financial resources of each spouse and all sources of income; and
- Any other information the court deems relevant.
Alimony can be modified following a substantial change in life circumstances, such as one spouse gaining or losing employment.
Call Our West Palm Beach Alimony Attorneys
If you are going through divorce, you need an attorney on your side to ensure that your rights are being protected, and that your best interests are being adhered to. For alimony negotiations and alimony modification, the experienced West Palm Beach alimony attorneys at Bruce S. Rosenwater & Associates, P.A. are available to help today. Call us at 561-688-0991 to set up a free consultation.
