Does Alimony Cover Insurance in Orlando?

For many people in Florida, insurance represents one of the most difficult monthly costs. Many people have to contend with both property insurance and health insurance, and these expenses can be particularly difficult after a divorce in Orlando. Does alimony in Florida cover insurance?

Does Alimony Cover Health Insurance?

The family court in Florida may factor in the cost of health insurance when calculating appropriate alimony sums. That being said, there is no guarantee you’ll receive enough to cover health insurance along with your other living costs. Alimony has limits, especially if your spouse doesn’t earn a high income. Alternatively, alimony may be relatively low (or non-existent) if you earn roughly the same amount as your ex.

High-net-worth divorces are more commonly associated with alimony that covers health insurance for the recipient. It is theoretically possible for a family court to order a higher-earning spouse to cover the health insurance costs of a lower-income spouse. This may be part of the final divorce decree.

Does Alimony Cover Property Insurance?

Alimony may also include the cost of property insurance, but once again, there is no guarantee. A spouse cannot expect their ex to cover the cost of property insurance if they choose to live in a home they cannot afford. Alimony depends on the income of the paying spouse, and the court cannot create money out of thin air to pay for extremely high insurance costs.

In some cases, it may be necessary to consider renting instead of buying after a divorce in order to eliminate the cost of property insurance and make living costs more sustainable. That being said, a high-net-worth divorce is more likely to lead to higher alimony payments. In order to maintain the current standard of living of the recipient, it may be necessary for the paying spouse to cover property taxes for their ex.

Alimony Does Not Last Forever

Due to semi-recent changes in Florida alimony law, these payments are more likely to end relatively quickly. As a result, a spouse may want to avoid becoming too reliant on their ex to cover the cost of property and health insurance. Now more than ever, the goal after divorce is to become as financially independent as possible within a short time.

If you cannot afford to pay for property or health insurance on your own, you may need to consider what life would be like without the “crutch” of alimony. If owning your own home and health coverage is important to you, it may be necessary to consider ways in which to cover these costs yourself. For example, you may need to seek employment with benefits and perhaps rent instead of owning a home. 

Can an Alimony Lawyer in Orlando Help Me? 

If you are attempting to maximize your alimony in Orlando, an experienced family law attorney may be able to help. These legal professionals can assess your unique situation and determine the most effective ways to cover costs like property or health insurance. If you have already navigated your divorce, a petition to modify alimony may be possible. Contact Orlando alimony lawyer Steve Marsee, P.A. today for further guidance.

Source:

 floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/overview-of-florida-alimony/