Alimony is not awarded as a routine matter in Florida. Rather, it is awarded as a solution to a hurdle. The type of hurdle in your divorce will determine the type of alimony that you may receive or be ordered to pay.
Bridge-the-gap alimony is intended to address the transitional period that a spouse with fewer resources undergoes when shifting from being married to being single. It is temporary and addresses specific costs and bills that a spouse will incur in the life change.
Rehabilitative alimony may be granted to allow a spouse to obtain or change to a different career. It requires a specific plan detailing the educational or vocational program the spouse
will take part in, the time involved, the cost, and an estimate of when the spouse expects to become self-supporting.
Duration alimony is a catch-all that can be awarded for up to two years when the situation warrants, but the receiving spouse does not qualify for a different type of alimony.
Permanent alimony may be available if the marriage was of a moderate or long duration when the receiving spouse does not otherwise have the resources to maintain the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage.