Alimony or spousal support is one of the matters that need careful consideration in a divorce process. The court would decide on an alimony grant based on some guidelines, and because every divorce case is unique, the final alimony amount cannot be mathematically calculated with a formula. Some of the guidelines that are evaluated in order to determine spousal support payment are:

· the length of the marriage (short-term, moderate-term, or long-term marriage)
· the standard of living during the marriage
· other factors such as the age, physical and mental health, skills, earning capacity, and educational background of each party, among others

In Florida, alimony law provides five different types of alimony, each of which is awarded depending on the situation. These are:

· Temporary alimony. Also known as alimony “pendente lite”, this type of alimony is awarded while the divorce is underway as a form of support for the spouse who requires it. Temporary alimony is terminated once the divorce is finalized.

· Bridge-the-gap alimony. Bridge-the-gap alimony is granted in order to pay for the short-term needs of the recipient as he or she transitions from a marriage to an independent life. This only spans a specific period of time, usually at a maximum of two years.

· Rehabilitative alimony. The main purpose of rehabilitative alimony is, as the name implies, to rehabilitate the recipient by the way of assisting in acquiring education or training as a requisite to employment.

· Durational alimony. As mentioned, marriage in Florida is classified into three: short-term, moderate-term, and long-term. Short-term marriages (those which lasted for less than 7 years) and moderate-term marriages (those which lasted for at least 7 years but less than 17 years) are usually awarded this type of alimony. The maximum length of durational alimony is designed not to exceed the length of the marriage.

· Permanent alimony. Some moderate-term and most long-term marriages (those which lasted for 17 years or more) are awarded this type of alimony. It aims to provide assistance to the recipient to help them with their everyday necessities, which they cannot fulfill after the divorce is made final.

When it comes to alimony matters in Southwest Florida, the Law Firm of Eve McClurg can offer expert help. Eve McClurg is experienced in the field of family law and has been helping clients in Southwest Florida create resolutions seeking to protect their best interests and that of their families. She will guide you through this complex process and will work closely with you to assess your situation in order to provide a comprehensive action plan to help you with your alimony problems. For an alimony lawyer in Fort Myers, Florida and its surrounding areas, contact the Law Firm of Eve McClurg today at 239-449-9943.