Understanding Alimony

Alimony Basics Explained

After a divorce, spouses may be obligated to pay support for the former spouse. This agreement can be decided between the couple or in some cases be determined by the court. At The McKinney Law Group, we strive to help you during this already difficult time. You may be in need of spousal support but find that a fair agreement is not being met. Our Tampa, FL divorce lawyer will work alongside your side and guide you every step of the way so that you are receiving the financial support you need.

The Purpose of Alimony

Alimony was put into action as a way to restrict one-sided economic effects after a divorce on either individual. Alimony is having the higher-paid spouse provide financial support to the lower-wage-earning spouse or a nonwage-earning spouse. There are two primary purposes of alimony:

  1. One of the spouses may have chosen to stay home with the family to help raise children. Alimony will allow that spouse the opportunity to develop job skills without the extra financial burden.   
  2. Help the spouse maintain the standard of living they had during the marriage.

Determining the Amount of Alimony

If the couple can come to an agreement on their own regarding spousal support you may not need to go to court. However, in the event that you do, the court has few guidelines and restrictions that must be followed when determining if alimony should be awarded or not. Our knowledgeable Tampa FL divorce attorney will advocate on your behalf and encourage the court to keep the following factors in mind when making decisions regarding alimony:

  • Physical condition, age, financial condition, and emotional state of the spouses.
  • If it is feasible for the spouse paying alimony to still support herself or himself.
  • The standard of living that the couple shared during marriage.
  • How long the marriage lasted?
  • How much time would the individual receiving spousal support need for training or education in order to become self-sufficient?

Alimony Timeframe

The length of time that alimony must be paid varies according to different factors. These may include:

  • Spousal support is only being paid for the time period it takes for the recipient spouse to gain the training or education needed to become self-supporting. However, the court orders must specify a termination date in order for them to stop, otherwise, alimony must continue to be paid.
  • If the recipient spouse gets remarried, the spousal support will most likely end.
  • In some situations, if the spouse paying alimony dies, spousal support may still be obtained by the other spouse. This is determined by the court and they will analyze age and/or health conditions. If they believe the individual is still in need of financial assistance, the support may come from the paying spouse’s life insurance or estate proceeds.  

Contact Our Tampa Divorce Lawyer Today

If you are going through a divorce or considering filing for divorce, our divorce lawyer can provide the professional representation that you need to navigate the process. To discuss your situation with our team, contact The McKinney Law Group today.