Finances are a major reason why many couples decide to get a divorce in Miami, and they’re also one of the most fought-over aspects of a divorce. It’s rare that a spouse likes to pay alimony to his or her spouse, and so, it’s an aspect of a lot of divorces that is contested heavily. If alimony is something that you are going to request in your divorce, or fight against, you need to make sure you are prepared to make your case.
What Types of Alimony Are There in Miami?
Before diving into how to prepare for an alimony case in Miami, it’s important to understand the different types of alimony that are available in Miami. State law provides for four types of alimony:
- Temporary, which is given in the interim before final alimony is decided
- Rehabilitative, which is given to one spouse while he or she works to build up his or her income
- Durational, which is for a set period of time
- Permanent, which lasts until one spouse dies or the beneficiary remarries
How Is Alimony Determined in Miami?
There are quite a lot of factors that go into determining what an alimony award might be. Generally speaking, alimony is given when there is an income disparity between the spouses. This could be because one spouse earns significantly more than the other, if one spouse was a stay-at-home mom or dad, or just to ensure an equal marital standard of living.
A judge will analyze every financial aspect of both parties to help make a final determination on alimony. The judge will take into consideration the above factors, the length of the marriage and the financial and employment prospects for both parties post-divorce.
Get Your Documents in Order
You will be your best advocate when it comes to making a case that you should receive alimony, or that you shouldn’t pay it or should pay less than your spouse is requesting. How do you make this case? You do so by preparing all of your financial information, which includes not just the marital assets such as joint bank accounts and property, but your current, historical and future income data as well as that of your spouse.
This will help the judge see a clear picture of what your financial situation was before the marriage, what it was during the marriage and what it will likely be after the marriage without alimony. By providing a clear comparison of your spouse’s information, you will be making the decision as easy as possible for the judge.
Hire a Lawyer Who is Well-Versed in Alimony Cases in Miami
If you’re planning a case for receiving alimony, or fighting against your spouse’s request, you’ll need an experienced lawyer on your side. Call the Carolan Family Law Firm for a consultation today at (305) 358-2330.
For More Information
- I Need a Divorce in Miami. How Long Do I Have to Wait?
- 5 Situations Where You Need a Miami Family Law Attorney