Tampa Alimony Attorney

How Spousal Support Works in Tampa, Florida

One of the major questions to be resolved in the divorce process is the issue of spousal support. In order for you to receive spousal support, also known as alimony, you will have to prove that your financial situation will be negatively impacted by the divorce to the degree that you will not be able to support yourself alone. Factors that will influence your chances of receiving support include the ability of your former spouse to pay and whether the circumstances of your marriage, for example your role as a homemaker, have inhibited your earning potential. If you are awarded spousal support, the judge will determine both the duration of your alimony payments and whether you will receive support over the course of several payments or in a lump sum.

Alimony can be classified as rehabilitative, durational, bridge-the-gap or permanent. Bridge-the-gap alimony is given on a temporary basis until the individual is able to transition from being married to their new life. Durational alimony is given after a longer marriage when there is not a need for permanent assistance or after a shorter marriage to provide temporary relief. Permanent alimony can be given in longer marriages for a person that is no longer able to provide themselves and is too limited on the type of work they could retain. Rehabilitative can be given on a basis dependent on when the individual develops certain skills or credentials or gains the proper training.

Determining If You Qualify

On the other side of the issue, if you are the one who is being requested to pay spousal support, it is in your interests to protect yourself against unreasonable demands on your resources. In either situation, an understanding Tampa divorce attorney from the Law Offices of Manuel Fajardo can represent you in negotiations and in the courtroom to see that the terms of your divorce settlement do not put you in a position of financial hardship. You may already be paying support and if you believe there is adequate reasoning to do so, a modification may be sought. This can provide for a change to be made even after the terms of a divorce have already been finalized. It cannot be sought immediately after a divorce, but will need to demonstrate that over time a change has occurred that is sufficient of an alteration to be made.

Leveling the Playing Field & Fighting for a Fair Agreement

For divorcing couples, there are few issues as important as the spousal support agreement. For the paying spouse, it is crucial that the agreement is fair and they are not being gouged for money. For the other spouse, it is vital that they are receiving a fair amount to financially support them in the time after a divorce. Both parties deserve to have their best interests represented and protected.

These cases are important to handle carefully and with a qualified lawyer to ensure you either receive a fair payment of alimony or you are protected from paying it if to your spouse. Whether you are considering divorce but are concerned about the impact it could have on your financial health, or if you have already begun the divorce process, we want to help you understand your rights so that you can make the best decisions for your future. We will work with you to pursue a fair plan for spousal support that will allow you to begin life after divorce in the best possible position. We offer our services in Spanish.

Attorney Manuel Fajardo has been helping families for more than two decades. During this time, he has applied his commitment and knowledge to deliver outstanding legal counsel. This dedication to the success of his clients has resulted in him earning a rating of Very Good on Avvo. If you are looking for an advocate who can help level the playing field and protect the best interests of you and your family, he can help. Call today.

At our firm, we pride ourselves on pairing compassion with knowledge. Through this approach, we can help families who are facing tough times. With over 24 years of legal experience, Attorney Manuel Fajardo is dedicated to helping families move through serious legal matters. His commitment, knowledge, and efficient legal counsel have earned him a rating of 7.7 Very Good on Avvo.