In Florida, several different types of alimony are available to divorcing spouses if certain conditions are met. A judge can decide which type of alimony is best suited for the divorce case. When making this decision, the judge will look at the education and earning power of each spouse, their contributions to the marriage (financial and otherwise), the reason for the divorce, and what each spouse intends to do once the divorce is finalized.

If a spouse gave up a career or earning power to provide care for others during a marriage, they may be entitled to rehabilitative alimony in the event of divorce.

What is Rehabilitative Alimony?

Rehabilitative alimony is a type of short-term alimony that is awarded to assist a divorcing spouse to build the capacity for self-support. Rehabilitative alimony is typically awarded to spouses who gave up their career or diminished their earning power in some other way during a marriage. Staying home to keep house and raise children is a common example. The amount of rehabilitative alimony awarded depends on many factors, including the incomes of both spouses and the specifics of the receiving spouse’s plan to become financially independent. As with all types of alimony, the amount awarded is not to just cover the bare minimum required for the receiving spouse to live. The amount must allow the receiving spouse to live in the same manner they were accustomed to during the marriage.

What is Covered by Rehabilitative Alimony?

Rehabilitative alimony can be awarded as long as the receiving spouse is engaged in certain activities, including:

• Redeveloping previous skills
• Acquiring previously held credentials
• Engaging in education, training, or work experience necessary to build skills or earn credentials

The receiving spouse must prove they intend to engage in these approved activities for rehabilitative alimony. This must be done by providing the court with a written, comprehensive plan as to how they propose to achieve self-sufficiency. Not complying with the rehabilitative alimony plan, or any significant change in the financial or living situation of either spouse is grounds for modification of the alimony order.

Rehabilitative Alimony Assistance in Tampa

If you are facing a divorce where you may be paying or receiving rehabilitative alimony, you’ll want an attorney to assist you to get the optimal result in the case. The divorce and alimony experts at Caveda Law Firm have years of experience helping people just like you navigate Florida’s complex divorce process. Call us at (813) 463-0800 or contact us online to schedule a consultation for your divorce and alimony case.