Spousal support, also called alimony, helps one person avoid financial trouble after divorce. The goal is to help both people cover their basic needs as they start living on their own. But not all support lasts the same amount of time. A court can order support for a short time or for a longer, fixed period.
What is temporary spousal support?
Temporary spousal support helps a spouse who earns less money during the divorce process. It helps pay for immediate needs like rent, food and bills. This support ends when the divorce becomes final. After that, the judge decides whether the person should continue receiving help. This could be bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative or durational alimony. Temporary support keeps things stable until the judge makes a final decision.
What is durational spousal support?
Durational spousal support is the main form of long-term support in Florida. The state no longer allows permanent alimony in new cases. A judge orders this support after a medium or long marriage, primarily if one person can’t support themselves.
This support is available for a limited time and doesn’t continue indefinitely. The length depends on the duration of the marriage. It ends if the receiving person remarries or if either person dies. The paying spouse can also ask the court to stop or reduce payments when they retire.
Why it matters
Knowing the difference helps both people plan for their future. Temporary support enables you to get by during a divorce. Durational support assists for a specified period following divorce, allowing a spouse to regain independence. Understanding that long-term support isn’t permanent helps you know what to expect.