Changes in your financial circumstances or life situation will often necessitate adjustments to your alimony agreement in Florida. At Melone Hatley, P.C., our Tampa spousal support modifications lawyers are equipped to guide you through the process of modifying your alimony, whether you’re seeking to adjust, terminate, or extend the support due to new circumstances.
Count on us to put you first and handle your situation seriously. A Tampa spousal support lawyer will review your current support agreement and go over all potential adjustments to protect you, your future, and your finances.
Call or complete our online contact form to learn more.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer About Spousal Support Changes?
Florida allows many individuals to seek spousal support during divorce proceedings. Once set, the support agreement dictates payments from one party to the other after the dissolution of the marriage.
However, sometimes circumstances change after a divorce. In this situation, you may need to adjust your spousal support. Modifications can raise or lower the value of alimony payments. One of the most common reasons in Florida is the retirement of the payor spouse. Florida recognizes that a party has a right to retire. This means that they can motion for a reduction of alimony payments to the other former spouse.
In this situation, we recommend reaching out to a Tampa divorce lawyer to review legal methods to adjust support or protect your award. Protect your finances by working with an attorney if you or your previous partner want to change your agreement.
Understanding Types of Alimony and Modification Needs
In Tampa, significant life or financial changes will necessitate modifications to your spousal support agreement. Understanding when and how these changes can be made is essential.
The Tampa spousal support modification lawyers at Melone Hatley, P.C., will help you adjust your alimony agreement to accurately reflect your current circumstances.
Types of alimony and modification conditions:
- Temporary alimony: Initially established during divorce proceedings and can be modified if either party experiences a significant change in financial status.
- Bridge-the-gap alimony: Designed for short-term support, it may require adjustments if the recipient’s transition period changes.
- Rehabilitative alimony: Subject to modification if the recipient’s educational or career advancement needs change or if they achieve self-sufficiency sooner than anticipated.
- Durational alimony: Alimony length or amount may be adjusted in response to significant life changes.
- Permanent alimony: Although intended to be ongoing, it can be modified due to events like the recipient’s remarriage or significant financial shifts. Although this form of alimony was removed in 2023 by changes in the statute, the change did not invalidate prior awards of permanent alimony.
Circumstances for alimony modifications:
Florida law permits modifications to spousal support agreements following significant changes in the lives or financial situations of either party involved. The changes must be substantial, unanticipated, and “sufficient, material, involuntary, and permanent in nature.”
Situations that may warrant a review and potential adjustment of your alimony agreement include:
- Significant increases in the payee’s income.
- Considerable income growth for the spouse receiving support.
- The spouse receiving support enters into a new marital relationship.
These and other substantial, permanent, and unavoidable changes in life circumstances might justify modifying your spousal support agreement. A knowledgeable Tampa family lawyer from our team will assess your situation, advise on the applicable type of alimony, and navigate the legal steps required to adjust your spousal support in Florida.
Whether adjustments are needed due to financial difficulties, employment changes, or other significant life events, our legal support is crucial for ensuring your spousal support agreement aligns with your situation.
Should You Terminate Spousal Support Instead of Modifying the Agreement?
Sometimes, your circumstances change to the extent that your lawyer may recommend terminating spousal support instead of modifying the agreement. We have to go over the specifics of your situation to identify the right choice for you.
Note that FL Statutes 61:14 details Florida’s rules regarding alimony agreements. We’ll help you learn about this legal code and how it applies to your circumstances, dealing with the complex legalities on your behalf.
Tampa Spousal Support Modifications
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How does a Tampa Spousal Support Modifications Lawyer Help?
Working with a spousal support modifications attorney will help you feel more confident as you navigate the legal system and deal with complex issues regarding your finances. Your lawyer will:
- Review your current spousal support agreement or judgment
- Consider your financial situation
- Go over recent life events to see if you qualify for spousal support changes
- Help you file the correct paperwork to make changes
- Represent you if your previous partner requests changes
We consider your needs when handling modifications to spousal support agreements, providing you with top-rated service throughout the legal process. Come to us with any questions you have during the process for fast answers.
Can You Modify Your Support Agreement Unofficially?
We understand the appeal of making a verbal agreement with your previous partner about spousal support order adjustments. This option may allow you to avoid the court system and potential expenses; however, verbal changes to your spousal support agreement are not legally enforceable.
Therefore, your previous partner could go back on the agreement at any time, leaving you unable to enforce the verbal changes.
Any changes you want to make to protect yourself and your future must go through the official legal process. Our alimony lawyers will provide step-by-step guidance on modifying your spousal support agreement.
Why Choose Us to Modify Spousal Support in Tampa, FL?
Our team at Melone Hatley, P.C., has a decade of experience handling complex family law cases, including issues surrounding adjustments to spousal support. Our top-rated and award-winning attorneys know how to handle your needs and use their training to address all your concerns.
We believe in supporting our clients at every step of the legal process so you’ll never have to feel alone. We’ll start addressing your concerns by providing you with a free consultation from one of our Client Services Coordinators.
We treat each client’s concerns with the personalized care and attention you deserve. We’ll discuss all your options and help you find the solution that works best for your circumstances. Reach out today to learn more.
We Can Help with Other Family Law Issues
Melone Hatley, P.C. offers comprehensive family law services, addressing a wide range of issues that families may face. Our knowledge extends beyond spousal support modifications and includes:
- Divorce: We handle the complexities of custody, visitation, child and spousal support, and the division of marital assets, including retirement and pension accounts.
- Custody and visitation: Custody arrangements, ensuring the best interests of your children are prioritized.
- Special needs children: Providing services for families with special needs children, ensuring their unique circumstances are considered in custody and support matters.
Our team is equipped to handle the intricacies of dividing businesses, setting business valuations, dividing military retirements and pensions, and valuing and dividing marital homes.
Our firm prides itself on guiding clients through the divorce process, from filing the complaint to negotiating settlement agreements and, if necessary, going to trial.
Does It Take a Long Time to Modify Spousal Support in Tampa?
The time it takes to modify spousal support payments can vary. If you need to make changes to your arrangement, we work quickly to begin the motion. However, the process often depends on the court’s current backlog of work.
We’ll keep you updated about the status of your request and provide information about upcoming hearings if your previous spouse requested a modification from you.
Work with a Spousal Support Modifications Lawyer in Tampa, FL
Take charge of your future with a Tampa spousal support modifications lawyer from Melone Hatley, P.C. We will help you make changes to your support agreement or stand up for you if your previous partner is requesting unfair adjustments.
Our experienced team will provide personalized legal strategies tailored to your situation, ensuring your spousal support agreement reflects your circumstances and protects your financial well-being.
Learn more about your options by calling or completing our online contact form.
