Alimony is a payment made by one former spouse to another after a divorce to support them as they become financially independent, or as a recognition of that spouse’s efforts in the accumulation of wealth and income.
If you have been married for several years and have been (or will continue to be) in a form of financial deficit, you may be entitled to alimony payments.
There are different types of alimony under state law in Florida. The type that people often think of the most is Permanent Alimony. Ironically, this form of alimony is awarded the least amongst other forms. However, it’s also a form of alimony that you should seriously consider accepting when you are entitled to it.
Consider that you have been married for 25 years and your spouse has made more money than you for the entire duration of the marriage, or a large portion of it. Some of that money your spouse has accumulated has been as a result of your actions, in some way. For example, perhaps you raised your and your spouse’s children or took care of the home. Whatever the case may be, if you have been an integral part of creating an environment in which wealth was created, you deserve to be compensated.
The sum of an alimony payment in that situation will depend on some factors, such as future income, assets, etc. This payment is awarded in recognition of a standard of living that you have enjoyed throughout the course of your efforts that will be protected, in some manner.
Another form of alimony is Temporary Alimony or Rehabilitative Alimony. These payments are awarded for a set period of time. Temporary alimony has the purpose of providing a spouse with lesser financial means the opportunity to find work, attend school, or participate in activities that will allow them financial independence at some point in their future. The purpose of support during this period is to provide financial stability throughout the transition period.
Many people waive their right to alimony simply because they would like to expedite the finalization of their divorce. While it is within your rights to make this decision, it is important to fully contemplate the ramifications, as alimony cannot be reassessed once waived.
Tell Me About The Adoption Cases That You Take On And What Are The Options?
There are many different types of adoption cases that are handled by family lawyers across the world. Our office focuses on uncontested adoption cases.
Uncontested Adoptions
Usually, these cases are the focus of a stepparent who has been the main figure in a child’s life and is looking to officially step into the role of “parent”.
In the majority of the cases our office handles, the adoption is uncontested because the child’s other parent has passed away, or has already lost their parental rights.
In some cases, the other parent still has parental rights but is so far removed from the situation that they willingly give those rights over.
These can be incredibly exciting times for a family, when a stepparent chooses to become a permanent fixture in their stepchild’s life, adoption can signal a further bond and connection.
Contested Adoptions
In a contested adoption, there is a parent who is still alive and has parental rights, but they are not willing to transfer those rights. It is rare for our firm to take on cases of contested adoptions, but in some situations, we may be available to provide some assistance for recourse.
An example of a contested adoption case would be the following: a father has not acknowledged their child, has refused to make support payments and has generally ignored any parental responsibilities. In this case, we would seek to terminate the father’s parental rights to allow the person who is willing to parent the child to adopt them.
Adult Adoptions
Another type of case we often handle is Adult Adoption. Adult Adoptions generally fall under a similar umbrella as stepparent adoptions. In these cases, the person seeking to adopt is usually a stepparent who wants to be legally recognized.
In these situations, the child is now old enough to decide on the matter, and it is not necessary to gain the approval of a biological parent, because it’s no longer up to them to decide.
Family Adoptions
It’s not uncommon for a family member to adopt a child because their parents are no longer alive, or because the family member has been caring for them long-term.
Recently, we saw a case in which an uncle adopted his 4-5-year-old niece who had been sent to America by her parents. In this case, the parents weren’t being negligent but were seeking a better life for their daughter, so they sent her to someone they trust and signed paperwork to terminate their parental rights.
There have been many similarly heartwarming stories that we have had the honor of facilitating.
Trusted Family Law Attorney Alec Solomita Is Here To Help
Our firm specializes in uncontested adoptions. It’s amazing to be able to witness people stepping up and wanting to take responsibility for something as important as being a parent. It is an uplifting and incredibly rewarding experience to be able to bring families even closer together.
For more information on Family Law in Florida, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (407) 305-5599 today.
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