Alimony, also commonly referred to as spousal support, is a type of payment for the support and maintenance of a spouse, either by lump sum or on a continuing basis. alimony (spousal support) is paid by the supporting spouse to the dependent spouse.

If you choose to legally seek alimony (spousal support), make sure your legal rights are protected by seeking the legal advice of an experienced Fort Myers alimony attorney & lawyer. Contact Thomas Busatta, P.A., today by calling (239) 939-LAW1 (5291).

Essentially there are five types of alimony / spousal support:

• Temporary alimony: is typically in cases of short marriage duration where a spouse has a demonstrated need and the other an ability and it is designed to assist the lower income earning spouse pending the resolution of the divorce lawsuit

• Lump sum alimony: is a one time payment of a set amount.  It is applicable in a marriage which is not too short but not too long in duration

• Rehabilitative alimony: is typically alimony designed to assist the lower income earning spouse as he or she travels through their rehabilitative plan, the plan being a formulation of strategies and goals to increase one's earning ability

• Permanent alimony: is in marriages of long duration, typically over 15 years and typically does not end until the payee spouse dies, remarries or is in a supportive relationship by law

• Bridge-the-gap: is a type of alimony which is of a short duration typically to assist the lower income earning spouse into his or her post divorce earnings.

The factors that courts consider when granting alimony (spousal support) may be, but not limited to, the length of the marriage, the conduct of the parties during the marriage, the age, health, station, occupation, amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities and needs of each of the parties and the opportunity of each for future acquisition of capital assets and income.

Courts generally also consider the contribution of each of the parties in the acquisition, preservation or appreciation in value of their respective estates and the contribution of each of the parties as a homemaker to the family unit. alimony (spousal support) can continue indefinitely, until death or remarriage, or can be set for a fixed period of time.

If you are involved in an alimony (spousal support) dispute in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, or the Southwest Florida area, contact an experienced alimony attorney & lawyer at Thomas Busatta, P.A., today by calling (239) 939-LAW1 (5291).