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FAQs: Alimony (Florida Statute 61.08)

Q	What is Alimony (Spousal Support)?
Q	What determines the type, duration and amount of payments?
Q	What are the types of alimony?
Q	What if alimony is not paid?
Q	What happens if the court orders an Income Deduction Order (IDO)?

Q	What is Alimony (Spousal Support)?
A	When you are separated or divorced, the judge may order one party to pay spousal support.
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Q	What determines the type, duration and amount of payments?
A	Length of the marriage Need of one party for support Ability of one party to pay the support to the other party Standard of living the parties have enjoyed together Age of the parties Health, education and skills of each party Other criteria may also be considered
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Q	What are the types of alimony?
A	Temporary: Until final hearing or the parties reach an agreement Permanent: Continues until the death of either spouse or the remarriage of the receiving spouse Rehabilitative: Support for a specific purpose that is meant to fund a plan to allow the receiving spouse to become educated or otherwise qualified to work at a particular job Lump sum payment: A specific sum designated for support purposes Bridge-the-Gap: Generally for short term marriages, to help a spouse transition to single status
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Q	What if alimony is not paid?
A	Failure to pay alimony may be enforceable by a contempt hearing Willful failure to pay may result in a person being jailed Ability to pay and other pertinent factors will be considered
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Q	What happens if the court orders an Income Deduction Order (IDO)?
A	This order requires the employer of the person paying alimony to deduct the support from the paying spouse’s paycheck and send it directly to the receiving spouse, or to a depository where distribution is made to the receiving spouse.
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