St. Augustine Spousal Support Lawyers

Retain Compassionate Guidance & Experienced Representation

Establishing spousal support is a critical step in finalizing the divorce process. In Florida, the court may award spousal support, or “alimony,” if a lower-earning spouse requires financial assistance to maintain their prior standard of living. These payments can ease the post-divorce transition and even help the spouse pursue new employment and educational opportunities. Spousal support can be temporary or indefinite depending on the spouse’s ongoing financial situation and the terms of their marital settlement agreement.

Spouses can face many unexpected monetary challenges in the aftermath of a divorce. Contact the St. Augustine spousal support attorneys at Owenby Law, P.A. if you’re negotiating the terms of a marital settlement agreement or modifying an existing court order. We can examine your case and help you secure a spousal support order or modification that safeguards your quality of life.

Call our St. Augustine spousal support lawyers at (904) 770-3141 to learn about the different spousal support options.

Spousal Support in Florida

There are many factors that need to be considered before a spousal support order can be established. A family law judge first needs to review the financial situations of both parties to determine if alimony is appropriate. It’s important to note that the court will never grant a spousal support order if it has a detrimental impact on either spouse. This is also why post-divorce modifications are available.

A family law judge will consider the following factors before issuing a spousal support order:

• The duration of the marriage
• The ages of both spouses
• The financial resources of both spouses
• The standard of living that was developed during the marriage
• The current and projected earning capacities of each spouse
• The contributions each spouse has made to the marriage
• The mental, physical, and emotional state of each spouse
• The responsibilities each spouse has regarding minor children
• The time the receiving spouse needs to reestablish their career

The court can issue five types of spousal support orders: temporary alimony, permanent alimony, rehabilitative alimony, and bridge-the-gap alimony. The paying spouse has the option of choosing between monthly installments or a lump sum payment. Both options have unique pros and cons, so it’s important to discuss your financial situation with an attorney.

Modifying & Terminating Alimony

Florida law recognizes that it’s normal for a person’s financial circumstances to change over time. After all, the spousal support determinations you made 10 years ago may no longer reflect your existing needs and circumstances. However, you can’t just request more money or stop making payments at your own discretion. The court will only award a modification if the requesting spouse can prove they are suffering a considerable and lasting change in their financial circumstances.

Spousal support can be modified or terminated under the following conditions:

• The payee or payer dies
• The receiving spouse remarries
• The receiving spouse moves in with a romantic partner
• The paying spouse loses his or her job
• The paying spouse is facing long-term financial difficulties

At Owenby Law, P.A., our St. Augustine spousal support lawyers can review your assets, compile evidence, and develop an effective argument that can be presented to the court. With our help, you can secure a modification that safeguards your standard of living.

Protect Your Financial Future Today

At Owenby Law, P.A., we take great pride in helping our clients prepare for the next chapters of their lives. If you’re interested in pursuing a reasonable spousal support award or need to modify an existing order, contact our St. Augustine spousal support attorneys today.

Call Owenby Law, P.A. at (904) 770-3141 to schedule a free initial consultation.