If you are in the midst of a divorce, you may have questions regarding alimony. While it is still common to assume that at least one party automatically receives alimony following a divorce, that is not necessarily always the case.
The courts will first look at the need for alimony, along with other circumstances surrounding your divorce. If you do receive spousal payments, there are several different types in Florida that the courts may award to you. One of those is bridge-the-gap alimony.
What is bridge-the-gap alimony?
FindLaw states that bridge-the-gap alimony in Florida is meant to facilitate the transition from married life to single living. After the courts identify specific needs to accomplish this goal, you can receive spousal support for up to two years. The court’s decision is final, and the order cannot change after its issuance.
Bridge-the-gap alimony terminates if either you or the responsible party dies. If you remarry, the payments also stop because you are joining your finances with those of your new spouse.
What factors contribute to alimony payments?
The courts consider several factors when it comes to issuing spousal support, including the following:
- Standard of living while married
- Length of the marriage
- Economic and noneconomic contributions of each spouse
- Ability to earn an income of each spouse
- Assets and resources of each spouse
Although Florida does not recognize fault when it comes to a failing marriage, the courts may consider fault when issuing alimony.
Bridge-the-gap alimony is just one of several different types of spousal payments. It is not meant to support you for the long term, but rather to give you the resources to create your own independence.