When the court awards spousal support in a divorce, it will need to decide which type to order. There are several options, depending on the situation of both the payer and payee.

Rehabilitative alimony is one choice that focuses on helping the payee get to a place where he or she does not need to continue to receive financial assistance from the former spouse.

Basic definition

Rehabilitative alimony is an option when one spouse does not have the same job opportunities as the other. It gives this spouse time to get an education or gain job skills so that he or she can pursue employment. It is common that this type of spousal support is something the court chooses when a couple has one person who has been a stay-at-home parent for a number of years. Being out of the workforce puts that person at a disadvantage. He or she is also starting out without employment and with a large gap in work history that could make it hard to find a job.

Criteria

When the judge decides on rehabilitative alimony, he or she must lay down specific criteria. This must include details about the duties of the payee in seeking employment skills or education and note how long the order will last. Sometimes, it will include giving a time limit on the payments. It is important to note that the court can modify the order if circumstances change or if something happens that will impact the ability of the person to secure employment.

The different types of alimony under Florida law apply to a variety of situations. Not every option will suit every couple. The judge will usually make the decision and choose if rehabilitative alimony is proper for a specific case.