Tampa Alimony Lawyer 

K. Dean Kantaras is board-certified in marital and family law by the Florida Bar. Experienced, driven, and ardent in his support for our client's rights, you can trust our Tampa Bay family law firm to represent your interests with strength and efficiency. 

Our team specializes in various aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody, and alimony cases. We understand the emotional and financial complexities often accompanying divorce, and we are here to help you navigate the legal intricacies of securing your financial future. 

Call K. Dean Kantaras, P.A. today at (727) 939-6113 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our spousal support attorney in Tampa! 

What is Alimony?

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a crucial aspect of divorce proceedings in Florida. One spouse must provide financial support to the other following a divorce or separation. The purpose of alimony is to ensure that the lower-earning or financially disadvantaged spouse can maintain a similar standard of living as enjoyed during the marriage. Alimony can be an essential financial lifeline for many individuals during and after divorce.

Types of Alimony in Florida

Florida law recognizes several types of alimony, each serving a unique purpose based on the divorce circumstances. The most common types of alimony in Florida are:

• Temporary Alimony: Temporary alimony, also known as alimony pendent lite, is designed to provide financial support to the lower-earning spouse during the divorce proceedings. This alimony helps ensure that both parties can maintain their standard of living until a final divorce settlement is reached.
• Rehabilitative Alimony: Rehabilitative alimony is awarded to assist the recipient spouse in acquiring education or job skills that will enable them to become self-supporting. It often includes funding for educational expenses or vocational training.
• Durational Alimony: Durational alimony provides financial support for a set period, typically not exceeding the duration of the marriage. 
• Bridge-the-Gap Alimony: Bridge-the-gap alimony helps the recipient spouse transition from married to single life. This type of support is meant to cover short-term needs, such as moving expenses or finding new housing.

Who Gets Alimony in a Divorce?

Determining whether alimony is appropriate in divorce and how it should be awarded can be complex. The courts consider several factors, and each case is evaluated on unique merits. Some of the critical factors that influence alimony decisions in Florida include:

• Duration of the Marriage: The length of the marriage is a significant factor. Florida law recognizes short-term, moderate-term, and long-term marriages, and this classification affects the type and amount of alimony awarded.
• Financial Need: The courts assess the financial needs of the lower-earning spouse. This includes an examination of their income, assets, and expenses. A spouse who is financially disadvantaged or lacking the means to support themselves may be eligible for alimony.
• Financial Ability: The court also considers the financial ability of the paying spouse to provide alimony. The court examines their income, assets, and obligations to determine their capacity to support the other spouse.
• Contributions to the Marriage: The contributions of each spouse during the marriage, including financial, non-financial, and homemaking contributions, are considered. This includes the role of each spouse in childcare and household management.
• Standard of Living: Maintaining the standard of living established during the marriage is a primary goal of alimony. The courts aim to ensure the lower-earning spouse can maintain a similar lifestyle after the divorce.
• Educational and Vocational Skills: The court evaluates both spouses' educational and vocational skills. If one spouse requires further education or job training to become self-supporting, this will be factored into the alimony determination.
• Other Relevant Factors: The court may also consider other factors, such as health, age, and any misconduct by either spouse during the marriage.

Modifying or Terminating Spousal Support in Florida 

If there has been a significant change in circumstances, either spouse can request a modification to some types of spousal support agreements. For example, bridge-the-gap alimony, which assists the recipient with short-term needs during the transition from married to single, cannot be modified. The amount of support can be modified with durational support, but not the length.

With rehabilitative alimony, the paying spouse can request that the court modify or terminate the agreement if the supported spouse doesn't follow the rehabilitative alimony plan.

Contact Our Tampa Alimony Attorney Today

At K. Dean Kantaras, P.A., we deeply understand the complexities surrounding alimony cases. Our experienced Tampa alimony lawyers are dedicated to helping you navigate the legal intricacies and secure your financial future. We are committed to providing the guidance and representation you need to achieve a fair and equitable resolution in your alimony case.  

Contact K. Dean Kantaras, P.A. today to schedule a consultation with our spousal support lawyer in Tampa!