Spousal support may vary significantly from case to case, depending on the specifics of each spouse’s circumstances, both individually and as a couple. In Florida, courts may consider a variety of factors before awarding support, beyond considering other aspects of divorce, such as property division or child support. Each of these are interconnected, and increases or decreases in one area often inversely affect the others.
A court is unlikely to award spousal support that the receiving party does not seek out, but even if one party does seek support, it is not guaranteed. A court may examine numerous aspects of the spouses’ individual and collective circumstances to arrive at what it considers a fair award, including:
- The length of time, in years or months, that the marriage persisted
- The age of both spouses and their respective ability to earn, both in the immediate future and projected over their lifetimes
- The existing assets of both parties
- The standard of living that the spouses experienced within the marriage
- The financial and personal contributions that each party made to the marriage
- The physical and emotional needs of both spouses
- The tax implications of the award
If you and your spouse face divorce and you suspect that spousal support will play role in the divorce negotiations, it is vital that you pay close attention to all the surrounding issues that may affect this aspect of the divorce. A divorce negotiation is like a small ecosystem, and changes in one area may significantly impact others, increasing the complexity of the issues at hand.
An experienced attorney can help you assess your financial situation and proceed confidently as you work toward a fair divorce resolution. Professional guidance offers many benefits and protections, ensuring that your rights and priorities remain secure as you transition out of marriage and into the next season of life.
Source: Alimony Calculator, “Florida Alimony Calculator,” accessed March 16, 2018