Modification of Alimony in Jacksonville
Do you need to modify your spousal support?
The Florida court provides for changes to be made in
alimony (spousal support) orders when substantial changes occur in your life which
affect the ability to pay alimony as ordered by the court, or conversely,
changes which affect your need for continued spousal support.
When these changes are needed, the proper steps must be taken to ensure
this is done legally; an unofficial agreement reached between the parties,
even though they may both be in agreement with the change, will not be
upheld in a court of law. The Jacksonville
family lawyers at
Hutchinson Law have extensive experience in helping their clients achieve successful
outcomes in petitions for modification of alimony orders.
Grounds for Modification
When significant changes in your financial standing occur, such as any
of the following, you may have valid grounds for a modification order
to increase, decrease, or terminate alimony payments:
- Unemployment
- Bankruptcy
- Medical crisis
- Relocation
Additionally, the existence of a “supportive relationship”
for the party who is receiving alimony payments may be grounds for termination
of an alimony award without the need of showing a change in financial
circumstances.
Determination of a “Supportive Relationship”
Florida Statute 61.14 allows the court to terminate an award of alimony when sufficient evidence
is presented that a “supportive relationship” exists between
the recipient of alimony payments and a person that they live with. A
number of criteria are used to determine if such a relationship exists, such as:
- Whether or not they present themselves as a married couple, refer to each
other as a husband or wife, possibly use the same last name, share a common
mailing address, or otherwise show evidence of a permanent and supportive
relationship, regardless of gender.
- How long they have lived together.
-
Evidence of shared finances or
assets.
- Joint purchases of real estate or personal property.
- Evidence of support of the children of either party.
If your ex is in a supportive relationship and
cohabitating with someone, and is not married to them, it may be possible to modify
your alimony order and terminate your alimony obligation. Or, if you are
receiving alimony yet are cohabitating with someone as part of a supportive
relationship, you may be in danger of losing your alimony award. In either
case, you need to contact an experienced Jacksonville
divorce attorney to handle your modification of alimony case.
Schedule a case evaluation with our Jacksonville divorce lawyer today!