Gray divorces typically occur after many years of marriage. They involve couples who are close to retirement age or possibly already retired. Gray divorces tend to cause significant familial and social consequences.
They also drastically alter the financial circumstances of the spouses. In scenarios where one spouse earns far less than the other or ceased working to provide unpaid services for the family, they may request alimony.
When a dependent spouse seeks alimony after a long-term marriage, the order for alimony may last for longer than in scenarios involving shorter marriages.
Durational alimony could be an option
There are many different types of alimony available in Florida, many of which focus on the rehabilitation of the recipient spouse. However, gray divorces often involve people who are too old to truly reenter the workforce. As such, rehabilitative alimony may not be the best solution available.
Alimony reform eliminated permanent alimony in Florida and imposed limitations for durational alimony. Short marriages that lasted less than three years generally are not eligible for durational alimony.
The duration of the marriage directly influences how long alimony orders last after a divorce. If one spouse qualifies for durational alimony because other options are insufficient, the length of the marriage is a key factor.
If the marriage lasted 20 years or longer, the courts can order alimony that lasts up to 75% of the duration of the marriage. If a marriage lasted between 10 and 20 years, alimony can last for up to 60% of the marriage’s length.
Understanding the rules that govern alimony can be beneficial for those in need of financial support when a marriage ends. Those preparing for a gray divorce may need help understanding the nuances of the law and asserting their rights throughout the divorce process.