Most people not involved in a divorce think that alimony refers to only one type of payment for spousal support, and that these payments end when the spouse receiving the support remarries.
But the truth is that there are many different types of alimony that a family court judge can order, and some are more advantageous than others.
Rehabilitative alimony is paid until the spouse receiving the payments has earned the financial capability to support his or her lifestyle.
This type of alimony is usually ordered in marriages that lasted a short time, and requires the spouse receiving the support to create an action plan on how he or she will earn financial security.
Permanent alimony is paid until the spouse receiving the payments marries again, or passes away.
In many states, permanent alimony is ordered when a marriage has lasted a long time – usually more than 15 years – because that is an indication that both spouses contributed to the assets and property that they own.
Temporary alimony is only ordered for a specific period of time, and is usually granted to help a spouse make ends meet until the final divorce decree.
Durational alimony is similar to temporary alimony, but the main difference is that durational alimony is paid after the divorce, and is tied to the length of the marriage. For example, if a marriage lasted three years, durational alimony could not last more than three years.
In some instances, a judge may order a lump-sum alimony payment, usually at the behest of both spouses.
This type of alimony is usually reserved for a wealthy spouse who wants to pay once and finish his or her responsibilities without the burden of monthly payments.
Lump sum alimony is advantageous because the receiving spouse is assured of receiving all the payments upfront without worrying about whether the spouse making the payments will suffer a financial setback.
Lump sum alimony also ensures that the spouse paying the support will not try to petition the court for a lower payment.
The determination of alimony is based on a number of factors, and if you can’t present evidence that supports your claim, you may not get what you deserve. Remember that your former spouse is likely going to fight to limit the amount of support you receive, and if you don’t have an experienced divorce lawyer on your side, the alimony payment may end up being less than what you expected.
The team at the Estevez-Pazos Law Firm, P.A. has handled many alimony cases, and is able to navigate through the most difficult obstacles. Please contact us today for a free legal consultation.
Additional Reading
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