St. Petersburg Alimony Attorney
Understanding Florida Alimony Laws
People who divorce in Florida typically have a very limited understanding of laws governing alimony and some fall victim to widely held misconceptions. Alimony is a husband or wife’s court-ordered payments for the support of another spouse. One of the underlying reasons for support is to enable the dependent spouse to maintain the standard of living achieved during the marriage. A skilled alimony lawyer can ensure a fair settlement by demonstrating to the court the length of your marriage, the standard of living you had, and our contributions to the marriage. Unlike child support, which is covered by very direct statutory guidelines, divorcing couples and the courts have substantial latitude when it comes to settling the issue of alimony.
Sometimes called spousal support or maintenance, alimony may be very significant or it may not be awarded at all. If you know or suspect that this will be a contested issue in your divorce, the knowledge and experience of the alimony attorney you consult can make a major difference in how much you ultimately pay or receive.
Alimony Dispute Mediation and Litigation
Emerson & Valentine, P.A. encourages negotiation or mediation to resolve any alimony dispute if possible. Should other efforts to reach an agreement break down, however, our dedicated alimony lawyers are always prepared to litigate skillfully and assertively to protect our clients’ interests.
Some basic considerations regarding alimony in Florida include:
- An alimony plan can be created by the parties involved or ordered by a judge, and it may include monthly payments, a lump sum of money, other property or all of these;
- The factors used in determining alimony/spousal maintenance include the length of the marriage, financial resources of both parties, ages and health, past contributions to the marriage and many more; and
- Six different types of alimony may be agreed to or ordered: temporary, rehabilitative, bridge-the-gap, permanent periodic, lump sum and durational alimony.
Alimony Enforcement
If you have an order for spousal support and are not getting paid, the other party may also owe you attorney’s fees for your efforts to enforce your rights. Call Emerson & Valentine, P.A. for a Consultation on alimony enforcement.
Contact us for a Consultation from a Dedicated Alimony Attorney!
At Emerson & Valentine, P.A., we will take the time to thoroughly evaluate your unique situation and offer guidance and advocacy on alimony. Please contact Emerson & Valentine, P.A. for a brief Consultation focused on your needs with one of our experienced alimony lawyers.
