The Right Lawyer Can Ease the Stress
One thing I often hear from people going through a divorce is, "I worked all during the marriage, so why should I continue to support my ex?" It's an understandable sentiment in the heat of the moment, but the reality is that marriage is a relationship in which both parties contribute.
That's the approach I take in alimony cases. I encourage both sides to think about what's right for each other, although I am of course guided foremost by what best promotes my client's interests and those of any other involved family members. My name is Robert Segal, and I practice family law in Melbourne, Florida. I have many years of experience helping people through divorce. Call me today at 321-757-6906 to schedule an appointment.
Types of Spousal Support
Alimony can be granted for a number of reasons. Generally, people qualify for spousal support based on their capacity to earn, how much their spouse earns and the standard of living during the marriage — though there are exceptions and special circumstances.
Spousal support usually takes one of these forms:
- Temporary — payments are usually made while the couple is separated, but the divorce is not yet final
- Permanent — payments continue indefinitely unless various circumstances occur
- Rehabilitative — payments typically continue until the recipient is able to support herself or himself, sometimes by completing education or training
- Reimbursement — recipient usually receives payments as compensation for financially supporting the other person's education or training during the marriage
- Bridge the gap — short-term payments that often help one party transition to being self-sufficient
Determining the Amount of Spousal Support
There is no exact formula to calculate the amount of alimony payments. In addition to the qualifications mentioned above, a client needs to appreciate what her/his budget is, the extent of the marital lifestyle, what is reasonably deemed a necessity and what is not, and what the lifestyle was when separation occurred. Because I have considerable experience with divorce cases, I can help you determine how much alimony is necessary.
Let's Find a Solution
Working together with all parties, we will strive to create an equitable solution. When possible, I encourage mediation, being a Florida Supreme Court certified family law mediator. Through mediation and collaborative law, couples can often settle their divorce with less cost and time than what is typically expended in a trial. However, if we need to go to trial, I am an experienced courtroom attorney well trained to promote and secure my clients' best interests.
Call me at 321-757-6906 or send me an e-mail to schedule an appointment today.
