Money and Your Divorce
- May 21
- 3 min read
As you start the divorce process here in Broward County, it is natural to be concerned about the amount of money you will need to pay or receive as support. Most parents starting a divorce are asking:
How much alimony will I have to pay or receive?
How much will I receive or pay in child support?
First, we start with two important notes when it comes to support:
While alimony and child support are distinct constructs, they do affect each other. So,
It is impossible to estimate either alimony or child support without a full financial picture of you and your spouse now and in your post-divorce life.
When you work with our team on your alimony and child support, we make sure you understand not only your finances but also the different negotiation paths we can pursue with your spouse. Our goal is to put you in a position of control rather than reaction.
A special note here: While emotions run high during a divorce, many want to bankrupt their spouse. While taking your soon-to-be-ex “to the cleaners” might feel satisfying for a moment, the short-term fighting and desired long-term financial instability are neither healthy nor safe for your children. The goal is to create a sustainable plan for both of you so you enter your post-divorce life on stable financial ground.
Alimony in Broward County
Alimony is a tool intended to address an imbalance in earning capacity when two individuals are divorcing. When one spouse earns significantly more in a marriage, the other spouse may be eligible for alimony for a period of time as they increase their earning capacity. Alimony is not automatic, punitive, or permanent.
We consider a range of factors when determining alimony, including the length of the marriage, the income of both spouses, the standard of living, the post-divorce budget, and realistic earning potential. If one spouse stepped back from their career to raise the couple’s children, they may have a legitimate claim for support while they build up their earning capacity.
When you commit to peace in your divorce, we look at what is reasonable. For a higher-earning spouse, your entire financial picture must be considered, including salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other forms of compensation. If you are the lower-earning spouse, you must provide an accurate and reasonable budget. If you wind up in court, a judge will not entertain outlandish requests, so we don’t want to waste time on inflated numbers.
Once alimony is determined, we have a picture of both parents' income after the divorce.
How is child support calculated in Broward County?
What most parents find surprising is that child support is determined by a formula set by law. The law is clear that each parent is responsible for contributing to the child's upbringing. With child support, there is less room for negotiation, which is why we take the time to ensure you understand the inputs.
Here are the basics:
We start with the parents' after-tax income, including mandatory payments such as health insurance premiums.
We then create a budget for the child's actual needs, including child care, health insurance, and work-related daycare expenses.
Then the proportion of your support is determined by the number of overnights you will spend with your child and your income level, proportional to your spouse's.
Many other factors can be included, such as the total number of children, schooling options, and additional circumstances.
You will note that the standard process does not include extracurriculars. So if your child is on an expensive sports team, attends private school, or takes music or dance lessons, we will write a separate agreement.
The amount of alimony and child support you pay or receive can have long-term implications for your financial future. We help you navigate the required decisions and negotiations so your family is on a strong financial footing well into the future and your child knows they are supported.
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
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