Alimony in Fort Lauderdale: Factors That Influence The Amount and Duration of Payment

If you’re going through a divorce in Fort Lauderdale, one of your biggest concerns may be how you’ll support yourself afterward. Alimony (or spousal support in Florida) ensures both spouses can maintain financial stability after separating.

Alimony laws have changed significantly in recent years, and getting spousal support is rarely easy. Judges in Broward County follow strict guidelines when deciding whether to award it, how much to grant, and for how long. Our Fort Lauderdale alimony lawyer explains what you need to know to protect your rights to these payments.

How Judges Determine Fort Lauderdale Alimony Payments

When considering whether to award alimony in Fort Lauderdale and the amount of these payments, Broward County Family Court judges focus on fairness, financial need, and helping recipients become self-supporting. Under Section 61.08 of the Florida Statutes, key factors they consider include:

• Each spouse’s age, health, and overall employability.
• Whether they were married for at least ten years or less.
• Each spouse’s individual income, assets, and earning potential, based on their education, skills, or years of experience in the workplace.
• Their contributions to the marriage, such as financial support, taking care of children, or helping their spouse reach their career or educational goals.
• The standard of living the couple enjoyed over the course of the marriage.

Once a Broward County judge determines whether alimony is warranted in a Fort Lauderdale divorce and the amount, awards may be structured as a monthly payment, a lump sum, or both, depending on what’s most equitable under the circumstances.

How Florida Courts Determine the Duration of Alimony

The duration of alimony payments in Fort Lauderdale depends primarily on how long the marriage lasted and the type of support awarded. Under Florida law, marriages are categorized as short-term (less than 10 years), moderate-term (10 to 20 years), or long-term (more than 20 years).

Based on all the factors in your particular case, a Broward County judge may order:

• Bridge-the-gap alimony to help you adjust financially in the immediate aftermath of a divorce in Fort Lauderdale.
• Rehabilitative alimony for education or job training needs.
• Durational alimony for moderate- to long-term marriages, limited to the length of the marriage itself.

Courts typically avoid creating indefinite financial ties unless there’s a compelling reason. They also weigh whether either spouse is cohabiting with a new partner or has experienced a substantial change in economic circumstances.

To Protect Your Rights To Alimony, Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer

Every divorce is different, and alimony decisions can vary widely based on the facts of your specific case. To protect your rights to these payments, you need an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer who understands how Broward County judges evaluate alimony requests.

Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, LLC., helps clients build strong, evidence-based arguments to protect their financial future. We can explain your options, calculate realistic expectations, and provide the strong legal representation you need in court or negotiations. To protect your rights to alimony payments in Fort Lauderdale, call or contact our office online and request a consultation today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.08.html

browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family