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Alimony

Tampa Alimony Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Kuske & Ragano, P.A., our attorneys are dedicated to aggressively seeking the alimony (spousal support) you deserve. We strive to ensure that your best interests are kept at the forefront of the case in order to see that your needs are met. If you would like to discuss your situation with one of our lawyers, please contact our downtown Tampa office to arrange a consultation.

Types of alimony under Florida law

Our lawyers use an extensive network of resources throughout the course of seeking alimony. In many cases, a forensic accounting expert is needed to address issues in the marriage, particularly if the marriage lasted for 11-20 years. This time period is considered a grey area, and the factors contributing to the divorce and award of alimony are under tremendous scrutiny.

There are five different types of alimony, including temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, permanent periodic, and/or lump sum. Taxes that stem from alimony payments must also be addressed. Our lawyers can assist you in understanding all of these aspects and how best to address all of these issues. Alimony usually ends if the dependent person remarries.

Another aspect of alimony is vocational rehabilitation. During this process, a determination is made as to the ability of the non-working (or lower income) spouse to achieve an occupation in which they can make enough money to maintain the standard of living to which they have become accustomed. If that level is too low, rehab may commence to raise earning potential and rehab alimony may be paid until the level of occupational skill is reached.

Alimony and cohabitation — is your ex shacking up?

Under a new law, the court can terminate an award of alimony if there is evidence that a "supportive relationship" exists between the recipient and a person with whom the recipient resides. Our lawyers represent clients in motions to terminate alimony, working with private investigators to acquire evidence to support our client's claim. A determination of cohabitation takes into consideration a number of factors:

  • If the couple living together acts married, using the same last name and a common mailing address or referring to each other as "my husband" or "my wife"
  • The length of time the couple has lived together
  • Demonstrated financial interdependence
  • Joint purchase of a property or business
  • Evidence of an express or implied agreement regarding property sharing and support
  • Whether the recipient of alimony and the other person have supported the children of one another, regardless of any legal obligation

Proof of a conjugal (sexual) relationship is not required to demonstrate cohabitation. The court has authority to terminate alimony if the recipient is in a platonic, live-in relationship with another person, where there is evidence of a supportive relationship, regardless of gender.

More information is available on the following topics related to alimony:

Contact a Tampa lawyer at the Law Offices of Kuske & Ragano, P.A. today to learn more about how we can help you with your legal situation. Our offices are conveniently located in downtown Tampa, five minutes from the Hillsborough County Courthouse. By thoroughly examining all aspects of your case in order to determine the best way in which to proceed, we strive to gain the results you seek. Get in touch with our firm today to enlist an ally who is dedicated to aggressively fighting for your rights.