Alimony or spousal maintenance payments are intended to recognize that one spouse may have more resources and skills than another to support him or herself going forward. While it isn’t easy to exactly determine how much alimony you will receive, it’s important to understand how the judge in your case will decide what amount is sufficient.
What Factors Determine Alimony in Florida?
In Florida, there is no absolute standard for calculating alimony, but the law does utilize a list of factors every judge must take into account when deciding in an alimony case.
The factors a judge will consider in determining alimony include:
- The standard of living established during the marriage.
- The duration of the marriage.
- The age and the physical and emotional condition of each party.
- The financial resources of each party, including the nonmarital and the marital assets and liabilities distributed to each.
- The earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability of the parties and, when applicable, the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable such party to find appropriate employment.
- The contribution of each party to the marriage, including, but not limited to, services rendered in homemaking, child care, education, and career building of the other party.
- The responsibilities each party will have with regard to any minor children they have in common.
- The tax treatment and consequences to both parties of any alimony award, including the designation of all or a portion of the payment as a nontaxable, nondeductible payment.
- All sources of income available to either party, including income available to either party through investments of any asset held by that party.
- Any other factor that will provide equity and justice between the parties.
Final decisions on alimony must list each factor and with some sort of reasoning directed at each factor. Alimony cases can be complicated. If you have questions about the alimony process or need help determining whether you qualify for alimony, please don’t hesitate to contact the Coconut Creek family law attorneys at The Law Offices of Jonny Kousa, P.L..
Call The Law Offices of Jonny Kousa, P.L. today at (954) 626-8071 to discuss your Florida alimony case.