Earlier this year, hip hop singer Mary J. Blige revealed that after her divorce from music producer Martin “Kendu” Isaacs, the court ordered her to pay her ex-husband $30,000 a month in alimony. According to Yahoo! News, paying that much in alimony left Blige without enough money to pay her rent and living expenses.
Reportedly, Isaacs was initially seeking four times more alimony than he was eventually awarded. Isaacs claimed the money was to help him afford to continue his lifestyle and because he had allegedly been hospitalized due to the stress he experienced during the divorce process. In addition, he claimed he had become unemployable and would become destitute without the financial support that the alimony would provide.
Ultimately, Blige had to go on tour to make enough money just to pay alimony to her ex. While the hefty price tag of her alimony payments is limited to high net worth divorces, the issues she faced not being able to afford to pay alimony apply to divorces in every tax bracket.
What Are the Penalties for Failing to Pay Alimony in Florida?
The punishments for not paying alimony in Florida can be severe. The following are the penalties a person can face for failing to pay alimony in Florida:
- Real Estate Liens (this includes having a lien placed on your home as well as other properties in your name)
- Wage garnishment
- Seizure of your tax refunds
- Contempt of court (this can result in jail time and/or fines)
- Asset seizure (this can include bank accounts, physical property, dividends, rental income, and more)
If you can’t afford to pay alimony, you should speak with an experienced divorce lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help you figure out the best option moving forward and prevent you from facing the punishments above.
Set Up a Confidential Consultation to Discuss Your Alimony Problems with Our Experienced Divorce Lawyers in Miami Today
Alimony issues come in several shapes and sizes. Our experienced divorce attorneys at Orshan, Spann & Fernandez-Mesa have been successfully guiding clients through the process of negotiating alimony payments they can afford to pay for years. We also represent clients who will be on the receiving end of alimony payments. Whatever your circumstances, we have a long history of helping clients secure the most favorable outcome possible for their situation.
To learn more about Orshan, Spann & Fernandez-Mesa, and how we’ve helped clients with their alimony situations, check out our clients’ reviews.
For more information about alimony in Florida, or to speak with our experienced divorce lawyers in Miami-Dade, give us a call at (305) 853-9161 or contact us online today.
