How To Increase Your Alimony

For most spouses, the goal is simple during a divorce: Walk away with as much financial security as possible. A post-divorce life might seem extremely uncertain – especially in times of serious economic turmoil. You’re completely justified in trying to make the most out of your divorce, giving yourself as much of a safety net as possible before you step towards the unknown. Alimony represents one of the most important sources of financial support after a divorce. But is there any way to increase your alimony payout?

Prove Adultery 

If your partner was adulterous during the marriage, this may have an effect on the amount of alimony you receive. Florida family courts may consider marital misconduct when awarding alimony, and adultery is a clear example of marital misconduct. You may receive a higher-than-normal sum if you can prove that your spouse was unfaithful during the marriage. However, you should know that spouses also lose the ability to receive alimony if they were adulterous during the marriage – so it’s a double-edged sword.

 Negotiate Outside of Court 

One of the most obvious strategies to receive a higher level of alimony is to negotiate out of court. You can do this by going through mediation or collaborative law. This involves sitting down with your spouse – perhaps with your attorneys present – and attempting to resolve your disputes without going to trial. Not only can this result in a higher level of alimony, but it can also reduce your overall legal costs and time commitment. Effective negotiations rely on leverage. For example, your spouse might be willing to pay more alimony if you agree not to take the divorce to trial and reveal embarrassing details about the marriage in public.

 Trade Assets 

If you are prioritizing alimony above marital property, you may be able to trade certain assets in exchange for a higher amount of alimony. For example, you may agree to give up your share of the family home in exchange for a proportionate increase in spousal support. Other tradable assets include the vacation home, the family car, the family’s boat, and so on.

 Try Lump-Sum Alimony 

Technically speaking, lump-sum alimony does not increase the total spousal support you receive. But it does ensure that you receive your entire alimony payment at once rather than in monthly installments. This can provide you with more funds to invest and use at once. In addition, it may help if your spouse loses their job or unexpectedly retires in just a few years, as you get your full alimony amount without your spouse having the chance to lower it at a later date based on these changes of circumstance.

Where Can I Find a Qualified Divorce Attorney in Florida? 

If you’ve been searching for a qualified Orlando divorce attorney, look no further than Steve Marsee, P.A. We know that spousal support is an incredibly important source of financial security as you walk away from your marriage. We’re ready to help you fight for a fair level of alimony. We can also assist with virtually every other aspect of your divorce, including property division, child custody, and much more. Book your consultation today to get started with an effective action plan.

Sources:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_law

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0798/Sections/0798.01.html#:~:text=798.01%20Living%20in%20open%20adultery,775.082%20or%20s