FLORIDA ALIMONY & SPOUSAL SUPPORT
Clear Guidance Through the Financial Questions of Alimony
Protecting your financial future with competence, compassion and a practical approach.
Whether you are seeking support, responding to an alimony request or trying to understand what a fair arrangement may look like, you deserve clear answers before making decisions that could affect your finances for years.
Caroline Olson has represented individuals and families in Florida family law matters since 1999, with a solution-oriented approach built around your circumstances.
Protecting What Is Most Precious To You Since 1999.
Three convenient South Florida office locations in Boca Raton, Jupiter and Plantation.
A PRACTICAL STARTING POINT
Alimony Is About More Than a Monthly Payment
It can affect the financial foundation of your next chapter.
The financial transition from married life to life after divorce can raise difficult questions. Will one spouse need support? Does the other spouse have the ability to provide it? How long could support last? What happens when one spouse stepped away from a career to raise children or support the other spouse's professional growth?
Florida courts first consider whether one spouse has an actual need for support and whether the other spouse has the ability to pay. The court can then consider the length of the marriage, standard of living, financial resources, earning capacity, education, health, contributions to the marriage and other relevant circumstances.
Caroline helps clients understand these issues in practical terms. Her goal is to give you enough information to make thoughtful decisions rather than leaving you overwhelmed by legal terminology.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS
What Types of Alimony Are Available in Florida?
Florida law currently provides several forms of support depending on the circumstances of the marriage and the financial needs of the parties.
Temporary Alimony
Temporary support may address financial needs while a divorce case is pending, before final financial obligations are determined.
Bridge-the-Gap
Designed to help address identifiable short-term needs while a spouse transitions from married life to being single.
Rehabilitative Alimony
May support education, training, work experience or redevelopment of professional skills under a specific rehabilitative plan.
Durational Alimony
Provides economic assistance for a defined period following divorce, subject to statutory duration and amount limits.
MARRIAGE LENGTH MATTERS
How Does the Length of the Marriage Affect Florida Alimony?
Current Florida law uses marriage duration as an important part of the framework for potential durational support.
Short-Term Marriage
Less than 10 years
Moderate-Term Marriage
10 to 20 years
Long-Term Marriage
20 years or longer
Marriage length is only part of the analysis. Financial need, ability to pay and the circumstances of the marriage still matter. Caroline can help you understand how the current rules may apply to your situation.
THE COMPLETE FINANCIAL PICTURE
What Does a Florida Court Consider When Deciding Alimony?
Need and ability to pay come first. The court can then evaluate a wider range of financial and personal factors.
- Duration of the marriage and marital standard of living.
- Income, expenses, financial resources and liabilities.
- Age, physical condition and relevant circumstances of each spouse.
- Education, vocational skills, employability and earning capacity.
- Contributions made during the marriage, including homemaking and child-rearing.
- Responsibilities involving minor children and other relevant circumstances.
A meaningful alimony analysis may require reviewing income, expenses, assets, debts, employment history, lifestyle information and other financial documents. In more complicated divorces, financial professionals, valuation experts or other specialists may also become relevant.
UNDERSTANDING CURRENT LIMITS
How Much Durational Alimony Can Be Awarded?
Under Florida's current statute, durational alimony is based on the recipient's reasonable need or an amount not exceeding 35% of the difference between the parties' net incomes, whichever is less.
Online calculators cannot evaluate every issue that can affect an actual case. Income characterization, business ownership, bonuses, assets, employment circumstances and other financial considerations may require closer analysis.
COMPETENCE + COMPASSION
Focused on a Workable Resolution. Prepared to Protect Your Interests.
Disagreements about support can quickly become emotional because both spouses may be worried about their financial futures.
When alimony can be resolved through informed negotiation, mediation or a carefully structured marital settlement agreement, Caroline works toward a practical resolution that can reduce unnecessary cost, delay and conflict.
When agreement is not possible, she prepares to address the financial evidence and legal issues required to advocate for her client's position.
MEET CAROLINE R. OLSON
An Experienced Family Law Attorney Who Takes the Time to Listen
Caroline R. Olson is the founder and principal attorney of Caroline Olson, P.A. Her family law experience dates to 1999. Her professional background also includes service as an Assistant State Attorney and Court Appointed Guardian Ad Litem.
Her approach is straightforward. She listens carefully, explains the issues clearly and works to develop solutions based on each client's circumstances rather than a one-size-fits-all strategy.
“ Here to guide you with competence and compassion as you close one difficult chapter and look to a brighter and more peaceful future.”
Experience
Family Law Experience Since 1999
Background
Former Assistant State Attorney
Service
Former Court Appointed Guardian Ad Litem
Role
Founder of Caroline Olson, P.A.
CLIENT EXPERIENCE
Family Law Is Personal. Your Relationship With Your Attorney Should Be Too.
Family law is personal. Your relationship with your attorney should be too.
Amazing!!!! There isn't enough adjectives to describe Caroline Olson as a Lawyer. She is brilliant!
She has compassion, understanding and is straight forward and explains everything precisely. She will go above and beyond and never stop until the situation is amicable.
Caroline Olson is the only choice when it comes to Family Law!!!!
~ Michelle
Caroline Olson is a pleasure to work with and she does her best to resolve cases in an amicable manner. She is professional, diligent and responsive.
~ Deena M.
Strong and Outstanding Attorney
Caroline is amazing. She is dependable and knows the law! Caroline worked on my divorce and had the best advice and was very involved and responsive to her every aspect of the divorce process. . Be it through phone calls or emails, her communication is superb. I had a great outcome despite the difficulties we encountered with the opposing party. I would definitely recommend Caroline to anyone in need of a great attorney.
~ Rose C.
A Family Lawyer with compassion
From the beginning Caroline addressed the issues professional and timely. She understood how to address each issue and always kept me up on what she was filing on my behalf. She always explained the fee's and financial responsibility I had to endure as well worked with me on the cost. I never felt at any time she wasn’t in my court to help me through this transition. And most importantly she never let me lose my common sense when making the difficult decisions regarding this family law matter. And in the end we crossed the finish line together as we started. Thanks
~ John
My experience with Caroline Ganin Olson
I personally hired Caroline for a family law matter. I was very happy with her level of service and her knowledge of family law. I was very satisfied with the legal documents she prepared for me. During a stressful time, it was a pleasant experience. I have given Caroline numerous referrals because I am confident in her abilities.
~ Larry
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED
Three Offices. One Personal Approach.
Caroline Olson, P.A. makes it easier to speak with an experienced family law attorney through three convenient South Florida office locations.
Boca Raton Office
6501 Congress Avenue, Suite 100, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Jupiter Office
601 Heritage Drive, Suite 452, Jupiter, FL 33458
Plantation Office
8551 W. Sunrise Blvd., Suite 208, Plantation, FL 33322
Serving clients throughout Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Naples, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Plantation, Wellington, West Palm Beach and surrounding South Florida communities.
FLORIDA ALIMONY FAQs
Common Questions About Alimony in Florida
Does Florida still have permanent alimony?
Permanent alimony is not one of the forms of alimony available under Florida's current statute for initial petitions governed by the law effective July 1, 2023. Current forms include temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative and durational alimony.
Can either spouse receive alimony in Florida?
Yes. Either party may seek alimony. The requesting spouse must establish a need for support and the other spouse's ability to pay.
How long can bridge-the-gap alimony last?
Bridge-the-gap alimony may last no more than two years and is designed to address identifiable short-term needs during the transition from married life to being single.
How long can rehabilitative alimony last?
Florida law generally limits rehabilitative alimony to five years, and a specific rehabilitative plan is required.
Does the length of my marriage matter?
Yes. Marriage duration is one factor considered in an alimony case and affects the potential duration of durational alimony.
Can alimony be resolved without going to trial?
Often, yes. Spouses may address alimony through negotiation, mediation or a marital settlement agreement. When agreement is not possible, the court may decide the issue.
Where can I meet with Caroline Olson about alimony?
Caroline Olson, P.A. has three convenient offices in Boca Raton, Jupiter and Plantation and serves clients throughout South Florida.
Have a Question About Your Situation?
LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR SITUATION
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You Do Not Have to Figure Out the Next Step Alone
Tell us what is happening, what concerns you most and what you would like your future to look like. Caroline can help you understand the legal and financial issues and identify a practical path forward.
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Protect Your Financial Future With Clear Information and a Practical Plan
Whether you are requesting alimony, responding to a request for support or trying to understand what Florida law may mean for your divorce, you do not have to work through the questions alone.
Protecting What Is Most Precious To You Since 1999
