Alimony Attorneys in Naples, FL

Making sure you get the financial support you need

The mere mention of the word alimony might stir your emotions and start your stomach churning. If your spouse filed for divorce and sought alimony, you might see it as a double injustice - your marriage is ending and you feel like you have to pay for it, too. If you are seeking spousal support, you might feel hurt and confused that your spouse is resistant to helping to support you, even though you interrupted your career to stay home and care for your children.

Contact our firm today at (239) 309-2006 to schedule a consultation with our Naples family law attorneys. We will be there for you every step of the way.

Which gets calculated first, child support or alimony?

Alimony. Child Support is determined from the income which is available after the amount of alimony is determined.

What’s the difference between spousal support and alimony?

In Florida, alimony and spousal support have the same meaning.

Are there different types of alimony?

In Florida, there are several types of alimony - temporary, rehabilitative, periodic, permanent, and lump sum.

• Temporary alimony can be awarded by the court while the divorce is pending. The purpose of temporary support is to maintain the status quo of the finances while the divorce is pending. Keep in mind that an award of temporary support does not guarantee an award of alimony once the dissolution is over.
• Rehabilitative alimony may be awarded by a judge after the dissolution. For rehabilitative alimony you must work with your attorney to put together a rehabilitation plan to enable you to receive support as you pursue further training or education in order to become more fully self-supporting.
• Periodic/durational alimony is similar to rehabilitative alimony in that it starts after the dissolution and is not permanent and only lasts for a period of time, however, you do not need to put together a rehabilitation plan.
• Permanent alimony is permanent, however, there are instances when the judge would consider modifying or eliminating, for example, if you or your spouse remarry, live in a supportive relationship, or the financial circumstances of either of you substantially and permanently change.
• Lump sum alimony is a fixed amount of money that can be ordered to be paid at one time or over a period of time. Lump sum alimony is not subject to modification or elimination.

How will I know if I am eligible to receive alimony?

We have the legal expertise to help you determine whether you are a candidate for alimony. The opinions of Florida judges about awarding alimony can vary greatly. Among the factors that may affect your eligibility to receive alimony are:

• The length of your marriage
• Your contributions to the marriage, including the interruption of your career for the care of children or to support your spouse’s career
• Your education, work history, health, income, and earning capacity
• Your overall financial situation compared to that of your spouse
• Your need for support
• Your spouse’s ability to pay support

Are alimony payments tax deductible?

As of January 1, 2019 alimony is no longer tax deductible to the paying spouse and no longer able to be reported as income for the supported spouse. Only if your divorce was finalized before December 29, 2018 then your payments are still tax-deductible to the paying spouse and reportable income to the supported spouse. We will negotiate your alimony with these important tax changes in mind.

Reach Out to Our Law Office in Naples to Discuss Your Alimony Case Today!

If you are seeking alimony, the family law team at the Law Offices of Cavanaugh & Cavanaugh, P.A. in Naples can guide you through each step and ensure your ability to receive financial support both during and after your divorce. Backed by more than four decades of experience, you can feel confident that our team will help you overcome any potential obstacles you may face.