When you and your Florida spouse split up, you may have valid concerns about supporting yourself without your one-time partner around to help. If you or your ex spent considerable time out of the workforce so that the other could continue schooling or build a career, one of you may decide to pursue alimony during the divorce.
According to the Florida Legislature, Florida courts review the same set of standards when deciding whether you or your ex should receive alimony. What might some of these factors include?
Alimony considerations
When deciding whether you or your ex should receive alimony or spousal maintenance, the court considers the length of your marriage. While each case is different, the chances of one of you receiving alimony or maintenance often increase alongside the duration of the marriage.
The age, physical condition and earning potential of you and your ex also come into play when Florida courts make alimony-related decisions. So, too, does the standard of living you both enjoyed while your marriage was intact. Typically, the state seeks to make an arrangement that allows each of you to continue to enjoy the same or a similar standard of living to that which you had during the marriage.
Additional variables
How much each of you has in terms of marital and nonmarital assets also helps determine whether either of you should receive alimony. So, too, does the level of education each of you have. How much each of you contributed to the marriage and family unit and how much each of you devoted to child-rearing during the marriage may also help determine whether an alimony award is appropriate.