Spousal Support Attorney in Coral Gables, FL
Secure fair spousal support or defend against unreasonable alimony demands; you deserve an attorney who understands Florida’s complex alimony laws and fights for your stability.
The Problem with Alimony in Florida: There’s No Formula
Most people assume there’s a calculator somewhere—plug in your incomes, get a number. There isn’t. Under Florida Statute § 61.08, judges have wide discretion. They look at how long you were married, what each spouse earned and could earn, the lifestyle you built together, and what each person contributed—including raising children or supporting a spouse’s career.
Two couples in the same courthouse with nearly identical situations can walk out with completely different results. What drives that difference is how the case is built and argued.
If you’re the spouse who would be paying: an agreement reached without proper legal guidance can lock you into payments that feel manageable now but become crushing after a job change, health issue, or retirement.
If you’re the spouse who would be receiving: settling too quickly—or without an attorney who knows what to ask for—can leave you with far less than Florida law would have provided. That’s hard to fix later.
What We Do for You
Before any negotiation starts, we put together a complete financial picture. That means income, assets, earning potential, and the actual standard of living during the marriage. Florida courts require this level of detail. It also gives us a much stronger position at the table.
For paying spouses, we work to make sure the support amount is accurate and tied to real numbers—not inflated by incomplete information or pressure tactics. We also make sure modification rights are preserved, so if your situation changes down the road, you’re not stuck.
For receiving spouses, we document everything: what you earned, what you gave up, what you contributed to your household in Coral Gables or Coconut Grove or wherever you built your life together. Courts don’t always see the full picture unless someone puts it in front of them.
Most cases settle before trial. That’s usually better for everyone—less expensive, less stressful, and faster. But we prepare every case as if it’s going to a judge, because that preparation is exactly what makes the other side take settlement seriously.
When Alimony Orders Need to Change
A final alimony order isn’t necessarily the last word. If something significant has changed in your life since the divorce—a major income drop, a layoff, retirement, a serious health issue—Florida law allows you to go back to court and ask for a modification. It’s not automatic, and you’ll need to show the court that the change was substantial and wasn’t anticipated when the original order was made.
We also handle situations where alimony simply isn’t being paid. If your former spouse has stopped making payments, you have real legal options, including contempt proceedings that can result in wage garnishment or other enforcement. Don’t wait and hope it resolves itself.
Alimony Is Part of a Bigger Picture
Alimony rarely stands alone. It connects directly to how assets are divided, what child custody arrangements look like, and whether you’re heading toward a contested divorce or whether an uncontested resolution is actually within reach. Handling these pieces separately—with different attorneys or no attorney at all—creates gaps that hurt you later.
Our team handles all of it under one roof, so nothing falls through the cracks.
Answering Frequently Asked Questions
How does a judge decide on alimony in Florida?
The court first asks two questions: does one spouse need support, and can the other afford to pay it? If both are true, the judge then looks at the length of the marriage, each person’s income and earning potential, health, age, lifestyle during the marriage, and contributions each made—financial or otherwise. There’s no fixed formula, which is why how your case is presented matters so much.
Can alimony be changed after the divorce is final?
Yes, but you have to prove that something significant changed after the original order was made—something the court couldn’t have anticipated. Common examples are a major pay cut, job loss, retirement, or a serious health change. You’ll need to file a modification request and make your case before a judge.
Does cheating affect alimony in Florida?
It can. Florida Statute § 61.08 allows courts to consider adultery and whether it had a financial impact on the marriage. It doesn’t automatically change the outcome, but it’s a factor an attorney can raise when it’s relevant.
How long do alimony payments last?
It depends on what type of alimony was awarded. Short-term “bridge-the-gap” support maxes out at two years. Rehabilitative alimony is tied to a specific plan—education, retraining—with a clear end date. Durational alimony can’t last longer than the marriage itself. Permanent alimony is rare and reserved for long marriages where one spouse truly can’t become self-supporting.
What if my ex stops paying?
You don’t have to absorb the loss. A Florida court can hold a non-paying former spouse in contempt, which can lead to wage garnishment or other enforcement. An attorney can file the motion and represent you at the hearing.
Do I really need a lawyer for this?
You can try to negotiate on your own. But alimony agreements are hard to undo once they’re finalized, and most people don’t know what factors they’re entitled to raise or what rights they’re waiving. The cost of getting it wrong is usually much higher than the cost of getting it right the first time.
Let's Talk About Your Situation
Whether you’re just starting to think about divorce or you’re already dealing with an alimony order that’s no longer working, the attorneys at Feinstein & Mendez, P.A. are ready to help. We work with clients throughout Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami, and all of Miami-Dade County.
Contact our office to schedule a consultation. The earlier you get counsel involved, the more options you have.