Being required to pay alimony to an ex is an obligation many people across Florida would rather not have. If you have been ordered to pay spousal support, you are likely quite anxious to be done with making payments to someone to whom you are no longer married.
However, the end of alimony may not come as quickly as you’d like. The amount of time you will have to keep making payments will vary widely and depend on the type of maintenance that has been ordered. But generally speaking, there are a few events or situations that could trigger an end to your support obligations.
According to Florida spousal maintenance statues, alimony can end if:
- The recipient of support remarries, or is in another relationship involving pooled assets and/or cohabitation
- The recipient or payer passes away
- It is bridge-the-gap alimony and payments have been made for two years
- The recipient is able to financially support himself or herself after returning to work or redeveloping previous skills
- Significant life changes occur requiring consideration for modification, including early termination
Again, the exact length of alimony payments will vary from case to case and depends on numerous factors specific to each former couple.
You can take some control of this obligation if you address alimony in your prenuptial agreement or if you and your ex are able to work out an arrangement in settlement discussions. If you do not do either of these things, the decision on if alimony will paid, how much you will pay and for how long will all be decided by the courts.
If you have questions or concerns about how long you will have to pay alimony, or if you believe there are grounds to seek early termination of alimony orders, it can be crucial that you discuss your options with your attorney sooner, rather than later.
