When a Florida couple divorces, the family court may grant that either spouse pay alimony to their husband or wife. There are four categories of alimony in Florida: 1) bridge-the-gap, 2) rehabilitative, 3) durational, and 4) permanent, or any combination of the above. The court can order a spouse to make periodic payments, a lump sum payment, or both. Much of the decision has to do with a lower-earning spouse’s need for alimony, and the higher-earning spouse’s ability to pay it.
Since adultery is a common cause of divorce, you may be wondering if it can impact a cheating spouse’s right to alimony. In some states, such as California, adultery is not a factor when making an alimony award. However, Florida operates differently. Florida is one of the states that will take infidelity (on either spouse’s part) into consideration when deciding whether or not to award alimony.
Terminating Alimony Payments
Both paying and receiving spouses want to know, “When does alimony end?” It depends on the type of alimony awarded.
- Bridge-the-gap alimony payments cannot exceed two years.
- Rehabilitative alimony can be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances or the supported spouse completes the plan early or doesn’t follow the plan.
- Durational alimony ends when the court says it will end, and it cannot be longer than the length of the marriage.
- Permanent periodic alimony is for marriages that lasted 17 years or longer. Payments generally continue until either party dies, the supported spouse remarries, there is a significant change in circumstances or the supported spouse enters into a new relationship where he or she is being supported by their new romantic partner.
As a general rule, alimony in Florida can be terminated when: the supported spouse enters into a supportive relationship, the supportive spouse remarries, a court order says it ends, or upon the death of either party.
Contact the Law Office of Russel S. Hershkowitz, LLC to request a free consultation with an Altamonte Springs divorce lawyer.