This is one of the most common question our divorce lawyers Boynton Beach legal team receives during our FREE consultations. For many people facing divorce, they are fearful of the outcome. they are unsure whether or not they will have enough money to meet their monthly expenses after divorce. In Florida divorce, alimony can be requested in marriages of any length.

In Florida, 17 Years of Marriage May Mean Lifetime Alimony

If you have been married for 17 years, this is deemed a long-term marriage. You can request permanent alimony. Permanent alimony is a support payment with no specific end date. This is where your former spouse must pay until one of the following occurs.

• the receiving spouse remarries
• either party passes away
• or until he or she files a supplemental petition for reduction/termination of alimony which typically occurs at retirement

How Alimony is Calculated in Marriages Under 17 Years

If the duration of the marriage is not 17 or more years, then durational alimony can be requested. Durational alimony cannot exceed the length of the marriage. In practice, durational alimony is typically awarded for half the duration of the marriage or less.

For shorter marriages, bridge-the-gap alimony may be more appropriate. Bridge-the-gap alimony is meant to cover short-term, specific expenses immediately following a divorce. The purpose of bridge-the-gap alimony is to help transition people from a short-term marriage back to being single.

Bridge-the-gap alimony is paid for no longer than a two-year period. Rehabilitative alimony is support for a needy spouse coupled with a rehabilitative plan such as college or re-training. The purpose of rehabilitative alimony is to help a spouse become self-supporting and typically, this type of alimony extends for short periods of time and must come with a specific plan.

Vette Family Law Divorce Lawyers Palm Beach County Can Help Now

If you are facing a Florida divorce, you should consult with our experienced divorce lawyers Palm Beach County team. Attorney Nicole Vette focuses her work exclusively on family law related matters including marital divorce, child custody issues, child support, long and short-term alimony, pre-nuptial agreements, and domestic violence. Vette Family Law offers a free thirty (30) minute consultation which can be conducted via Zoom, telephone, or in-person. Contact us at nicole@vettelaw.com or 561-531-9132; 1375 Gateway Blvd. Suite 42, Boynton Beach, FL 33426.