What is Bridge-the-Gap Alimony?

Getting divorced in Florida can be expensive, and transitioning from a dual to a single income household, or from a household where your spouse was the only breadwinner to supporting yourself financially, can feel overwhelming. In Florida, the law provides for a type of alimony known as bridge-the-gap spousal support to help with this transition. If you are considering filing for divorce in the Tampa Bay area, it is important to understand the different types of alimony payments that may be issued in your case and how they might affect your overall settlement. To learn more about bridge-the-gap and other types of alimony payments, call or contact the law office of Blair H. Chan, III to schedule an initial consultation of your case.

What is Bridge-the-Gap Alimony?

Bridge-the-gap alimony is a type of spousal support that is meant to cover short-term, specific expenses immediately following a divorce. This differs from temporary alimony, which covers costs for a spouse during the divorce process. The purpose of bridge-the-gap alimony is to help one spouse transition from being married to being single without causing undue financial hardship. Once short-term needs are identified, the amount and duration of bridge-the-gap alimony cannot be modified; however, the court does not allow for this type of spousal support payment to exceed two years. Bridge-the-gap alimony can also be terminated upon the remarriage of the receiving spouse or the death of either spouse.

There are many reasons why a court may award one spouse bridge-the-gap alimony. Some of the most common reasons are to help with expenses while the couple sells their marital home, covering costs while a spouse finishes school, and because the disparity in wealth between spouses is so extreme that one spouse cannot cover their expenses without the other. Other common expenses that bridge-the-gap alimony may help cover include housing costs, transportation costs, food, utilities, and any personal expenses that the court deems legitimate during the transition time.

Other Types of Alimony Payments

Florida allows for a number of other types of alimony payments in a divorce. Temporary alimony is awarded to a spouse to help cover costs while the divorce is ongoing. Durational alimony is paid for a set period of years following the divorce. Rehabilitative spousal support assists a former spouse with the costs of education or training necessary to enter the workforce, and permanent alimony provides spousal support for an indefinite period of time. The court can award one or more types of alimony payments in a Florida divorce, and an experienced attorney can review your case and advise you on what to expect in your case.

Talk to Our Office Now

Alimony payments can have a significant impact on your divorce case. If you would like to learn more about alimony payments in your case, contact a skilled Tampa family lawyer at the law office of Blair H. Chan, III to schedule an initial consultation of your case now.

Resource:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.08.html

https://www.bchanlaw.com/making-sure-you-get-a-fair-alimony-settlement/