Alimony Lawyers in Jacksonville

Spouses in Florida have several options of support available to help ease the financial burden of transitioning into a new life after a divorce. Alimony, also known as spousal support, is one type of support that can be awarded by the court. Unlike child support, which is intended to benefit minor age children, alimony is money paid to the spouse with the lower income.

Florida Alimony Law Basics

court gavel alimony moneyFlorida law allows for five different types of alimony: Ranging from temporary to long-term, these financial payments allow for the lower-income spouse to better position themselves to start a new life by obtaining housing or other necessities, as well as prepare to be self-supporting by gaining education, training, or other skills needed to reenter the workforce. While child support is typically paid on a monthly ongoing basis, alimony can be paid in one lump sum or given periodically over a set amount of time. In some cases, alimony may continue indefinitely.
The type, financial amount, and duration of alimony payments can be agreed upon by the parties, or if the parties are unable to agree, the alimony arrangement will be determined by the court.

Determining Whether You Are Eligible for Spousal Support

Not all spouses are entitled to alimony, which may also be referred to as maintenance. To determine whether an award of alimony is appropriate, the courts will consider relevant factors that reflect the extent to which the support will help the lower-income spouse transition into his or her new life, including but not limited to:

  • The length of the marriage
  • The age and health of the spouses
  • Each spouse’s earning capacity
  • The amount of time needed by the lower-income spouse to obtain the education, training, or additional skills needed to become self-supporting
  • Other relevant factors, such as contributions by each party to the marriage

Makofka & Makofka: Florida Lawyers for Alimony and Other Family Law Needs

At Makofka & Makofka, we understand the importance of alimony as a tool to help you transition to a new life where you are self-supporting after a divorce. We have been helping clients with family law and divorce matters for nearly 20 years, ensuring they have the best possible representation. To find out more about how we may be able to help you determine an appropriate alimony award, contact us for a free consultation today at (904) 355-2700. We proudly serve Florida residents of Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau counties.