Bridge-The-Gap Alimony In Fort Lauderdale: Who Qualifies And How Long Does It Last?

Going through a divorce often means facing a sudden and significant financial shift. One day you are sharing expenses, income, and a household. The next, you are on your own and wondering how you are going to cover immediate costs while you get back on your feet. That is exactly the situation bridge-the-gap alimony is designed to address.

Under Florida Statute § 61.08, Florida courts have the authority to award bridge-the-gap alimony to assist a spouse with legitimate, identifiable short-term needs. This form of support is not meant to serve as long-term financial maintenance. Rather, it is intended to help a lower-earning or financially dependent spouse transition from married life to single life by covering specific near-term expenses.

Think of it as a financial bridge. You may need help covering rent deposits, car payments, insurance, or other immediate costs that arise right after a divorce is finalized. Bridge-the-gap alimony is meant to address those kinds of concrete, short-term needs, not ongoing lifestyle maintenance.

Who May Be Eligible?

To receive bridge-the-gap alimony in Florida, a spouse generally must be able to demonstrate a financial need tied to identifiable short-term expenses. Unlike some other forms of alimony, the court does not require a formal rehabilitative plan to award bridge-the-gap support. However, the need must be specific and documentable.

The court will consider a range of factors before making any award, including:

• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The length of the marriage
• Each spouse’s income, assets, and earning capacity
• The requesting spouse’s contribution to the marriage, including as a homemaker
• The financial resources of both parties at the time of the divorce

No two divorce cases are alike, and the court has broad discretion in determining whether an award is appropriate and what amount is fair.

How Long Does Bridge-the-Gap Alimony Last?

This is one of the most important and clear-cut aspects of bridge-the-gap alimony in Florida. Per Florida Statute § 61.08(6), the length of a bridge-the-gap award cannot exceed two years. This is a firm cap under state law.

Additionally, and importantly, once an award is entered, it is not modifiable in amount or duration. That means even if financial circumstances change significantly after the order is issued, neither party can go back to the court to adjust the bridge-the-gap award.

Bridge-the-gap alimony also terminates automatically upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient spouse.

Contact Our Team Discuss Your Alimony Questions

Alimony determinations in Florida can be complex, and every case turns on its own specific facts. If you are going through a divorce and have questions about spousal support, speaking with a Fort Lauderdale alimony attorney can help you better understand what may be at stake. At the office of Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A., we work with clients throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County on all aspects of divorce, including alimony. We encourage you to contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Source:

flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/61.08