Winter Park Cohabitation Relationship Attorney
Florida Family Lawyer Helping Clients with Cohabitation Matters
Circumstances can change in the months and years following your divorce, so certain elements of the final decree may no longer be appropriate. It’s common for ex-spouses to become involved in new relationships, which can have a major impact on the alimony order the court implemented when you ended your marriage. When the recipient’s lifestyle and financial needs have changed, the payor may have grounds to modify spousal support due to a cohabitation relationship.
If your ex-spouse is residing with someone in a supportive relationship, our lawyers at The Troum Law Firm, P.A. can help with the legal process of modifying spousal support. We’ve been representing clients in Orange and Seminole Counties for more than 30 years, so we’re prepared to advise you on the proceedings. Please contact our office to set up a consultation with a Winter Park cohabitation relationship attorney today. You may also find it helpful to review some answers to common questions about this legal issue.
What is a cohabitation relationship? Many people assume that spousal support can only terminate if the recipient remarries or upon the death of either party; at one time, this assumption was true. However, alimony recipients were taking advantage of the law by living with another person outside of marriage. That individual could continue to receive spousal support, while also benefitting from the financial support of the new partner.
How does a supportive relationship affect my rights? In 2006, lawmakers made some revisions to Florida’s law on modification of spousal support. The alimony loophole was closed, so a payor ex-spouse may be entitled to terminate alimony payments when the recipient becomes involved in a supportive relationship. The key to reducing or terminating your financial obligations under the spousal support law is to show that your ex-spouse is living in such an environment.
What factors determine the existence of a cohabitation relationship? A judge will review the overall living arrangement and financial considerations when determining whether two unmarried individuals are living in a supportive relationship. Factors include:
- Whether the pair jointly owns real estate;
- Whether the two individuals are on the lease for a rented space;
- How they hold themselves out to others, including family, friends, and others;
- Whether they refer to each other as husband and wife;
- How they contribute to household and personal bills;
- Whether the two people share checking, savings, or other bank accounts; and,
- Many other factors.
How do I modify spousal support based upon a cohabitation relationship? The only way to alter your existing financial support obligation is to request that the court modify. You would do so through a motion, where you explain your grounds for seeking modification. Any information regarding the above factors is essential to proving your case by a preponderance of the evidence.
Contact a Skilled Winter Park Cohabitation Relationship Lawyer
For answers to additional questions, please contact The Troum Law Firm, P.A. to set up a consultation. You can reach our office at 321-428-2247 or by visiting us online. We can provide customized information for your specific circumstances after reviewing your circumstances.
