Times have changed, and so have traditional family roles. If you’re a father going through a divorce in Florida, you might wonder about your right to spousal support. Your gender shouldn’t stop you from seeking financial help after divorce. Florida law ensures both spouses have equal rights to alimony based on their needs.
How fathers can get alimony support
There’s no shame in seeking support. This rings especially true for stay-at-home dads or fathers who scaled back their careers to raise children or support their spouse’s career growth. These sacrifices matter in alimony decisions.
Florida offers these alimony options to help you stay afloat financially:
- Temporary alimony for the duration of the divorce process
- Bridge-the-gap alimony for short-term needs after finalizing divorce
- Rehabilitative alimony for education or training toward financial independence
- Durational alimony for set time periods
Take note that alimony is not automatic in divorce cases. You’ll need to formally request it.
How the court determines alimony amounts
Florida courts look at the difference between your income and your former spouse’s income. You can receive a maximum of 35% of this difference. When setting the alimony amount, the judge will consider:
- The time you spent married
- Your lifestyle during the marriage
- Your ability to earn income
- What you contributed to the marriage
- Your parenting responsibilities
These factors help determine the final alimony amount, ensuring that it meets your needs while remaining fair to both parties.
Protecting your rights as a father
Requesting alimony requires careful documentation of your financial situation and needs. It takes courage to ask for help, especially when people around you might still hold outdated views about fathers and alimony.
Remember, seeking financial support shows responsibility, not weakness. An experienced family law attorney can help with these challenges and fight for the support you deserve to rebuild your life after divorce.
