Alimony Attorney Tampa FLAlimony Attorney Tampa FL

If you are seeking alimony, an alimony lawyer Tampa FL trusts can help you to get what you deserve after a divorce. Also known as spousal support, or spousal maintenance, it involves payments being made by one spouse and given to the ex-spouse. The spouse who is making the payments is seen as being the financial bearer during the duration of the marriage. In Tampa alimony awards can be a confusing matter which is why you should contact The McKinney Law Group to learn more.

Understanding Alimony

Alimony is one of the first things people consider when getting a divorce, as an alimony lawyer Tampa FL relies on can explain. The matter can complex and lead to immense disagreements, arguments, stress, and anger. Usually, it can be a good idea to have a lawyer helping you get through this situation as quickly as possible. When it comes to alimony Tampa FL residents may give or receive financial support until the spouse getting the payments is able to support their self.

Alimony can be granted to help the spouse:

Bridge the financial gap between marriage and separation

Be intended to help the ex-spouse get to a position where he or she can take care of themselves

With an alimony lawyer Tampa FL divorcees rely on, separating spouses may receive the monetary compensation in a lump sum, on a monthly basis, or be a combination of the two. Alimony in Tampa FL is meant to help level the playing field and is not punitive in nature. The length of a marriage can be an important factor and can be classified as a short term, moderate, or long term marriage.

  • Short term marriage – Less than 7 years
  • Moderate term marriage – More than 7 years, and less than 17 years
  • Long term marriage – More than 17 years

In general, the longer you have been married, the more an alimony lawyer Tampa FL divorcees trust can seek.

What factors may a Florida judge take into consideration when determining the amount of alimony?

Every state has laid out alimony guidelines which are meant to assist judges in their decision regarding an alimony award. Judges have a good amount of discretion to use so they may take a number of factors into consideration before making a ruling. Factors include:

  • The financial resources of both spouses
  • Both spouses earning potential, education, skills, and employability
  • The resources a spouse would need to undergo training for employment
  • The standard of living enjoyed by the spouses during their marriage
  • Each spouses contribution to the marriage
  • Tax consequences of the award
  • Whether or not children are involved
  • Whether or not adultery was committed
  • The length of the marriage

Other factors may be examined to best determine who can receive alimony, for how much, and for how long. In regards to alimony Tampa FL laws can be challenging to navigate without a lawyer. If you are seeking, or trying to avoid alimony, an alimony lawyer Tampa FL can count on from The McKinney Law Group can review your case and let you know what your options may be; call 813-906-0048.

Divorce, Retirement and Spousal Support Considerations

It is becoming increasingly understood that one of the most significant ways that divorce impacts those that the process affects involves retirement. Whether a couple is divorcing early or later in life, this transition can significantly affect the ability of each spouse to retire comfortably. Certainly, no two divorces are exactly alike. It is therefore critically important to speak with an experienced Tampa, Florida alimony lawyer before making assumptions about how your divorce will impact your retirement. Our firm takes great pride in helping to safeguard our clients’ assets (including retirement accounts) during their divorce processes. Please consider scheduling a consultation with an experienced Tampa, FL alimony lawyer today in order to discuss the ways in which your divorce may impact your retirement years.

Retirement Challenges Post-Divorce

Why is retirement so significantly affected by the divorce process? The answer to this question is complex and involves a number of factors. There are obviously exceptions to every general legal rule. But most of the time, the longer a couple has remained married, the more intertwined their financial lives become. When divorce necessarily disentangles a couple’s finances, each is generally left with only half of what had been set aside for retirement. One spouse’s “half” may come in the form of a retirement account, significant property and/or spousal support (commonly referred to as alimony). Divorce is expensive in that it compels couples to create separate, evenly distributed shares of assets. And suddenly finding yourself half as prepared for retirement can be daunting.

Qualified Domestic Relations Orders

If you and your spouse have a joint retirement account, your divorce will almost certainly feature a legal tool known as a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. This document serves as a court order that allows an individual other than the primary account holder to collect from the retirement account in question.

Why does this legal tool matter? When dividing marital property equally, legal tools like alimony and QDROs allow spouses who are not primarily associated with certain assets and forms of income to continue to benefit from those assets even when they are no longer married to the primary asset/income holder. There are numerous benefits associated with these kinds of divorce-related financial options. As a result, it is important to speak with your Tampa, FL alimony lawyer about the best possible tools for your situation, so that you can safeguard your ability to retire as comfortably as possible.

When Your Ex-Spouse Stops Paying Alimony

You may be in need of an alimony lawyer in Tampa, FL if your ex-spouse has suspended or reduced payments to you. At The Mckinney Law Group , a Tampa, FL alimony lawyer can help protect your rights. This may be the necessary next step, particularly if you have contacted your former spouse and attempted to convince them to catch up on their payments to you in a timely manner. Call our office today to request a free consultation with an experienced alimony lawyer from our firm.

Legal Authority

If a court or judge dictated the terms of your divorce agreement, including the terms of the alimony payments, those terms are legally binding. In other words, if your ex is not meeting their payment obligation to you, they are in violation of a court order. An alimony lawyer in Tampa, FL, such as one  from The Mckinney Law Group, can document these violations, present them to a judge, and request the court to enforce their original ruling regarding the alimony payments. If a judge agrees that your former spouse is in violation, your ex may be held in contempt of court. Subsequently, if your ex does not immediately comply with the judge, they face possible jail time as well as fines on top of their missed alimony payments. They may also be ordered to pay for the court costs of the contempt of court case.

Additional Legal Options to Enforce Missed or Late Alimony Payments

As an alimony lawyer Tampa, FL residents trust, we, at The Mckinney Law Group,  can take additional legal action against your former spouse for missing alimony payments if necessary. Depending on the circumstances, our legal team might take any of the following actions on your behalf:

  • Mediation: A professional, certified third-party mediator can meet with you and your former spouse with the goal of negotiating a solution. Your alimony lawyer can also be present.
  • Civil lawsuit in small claims court: This may be effective, but even a ruling in your favor is difficult to enforce.
  • Wage garnishment: the court can rule that your spouse’s paychecks will automatically have your alimony payments subtracted from their paycheck and paid to you.

Possible Damages Due to Missed or Late Alimony Payments

In many households, finances are tight and one unexpected event such as a child’s illness can make it very difficult to pay the monthly bills. If an alimony payment is not paid in full and on time, it can further wreak havoc. As a result, you may have to pay additional finance charges, and you may miss your rent or mortgage payment which can put your housing situation at risk. Your credit report might be damaged, and you could experience undue embarrassment at being unable to pay your bills. An alimony lawyer from The Mckinney Law Group can prepare this information for the court, present your case to the judge, and request your ex-spouse be ordered to pay you what is owed.

Contact a Tampa, FL Alimony Lawyer Who Can Make a Difference

At The Mckinney Law Group we are committed to protecting the rights of our clients. If your ex has not met their legal obligation insofar as paying you alimony in full and on time, contact our office. We can provide you with a free, no obligation case review with an experienced alimony lawyer Tampa, FL community members respect—call us today to make an appointment.

Divorce Guidance Is Available

If you have questions about how your divorce process may affect your retirement or how an existing divorce settlement and/or spousal support orders may be affected by retirement, please consider scheduling a consultation with a Tampa, FL alimony lawyer. Being proactive in planning one’s golden years can mean the difference between a fulfilling retirement and one that is consistently filled with financially-related stresses. Speaking with our firm will not obligate you to take any action or make any modifications to existing plans. The team at The Mckinney Law Group will simply help to ensure that your decisions are informed and that any legal actions you take are supported and guided by experienced professionals. We look forward to speaking with you.

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