In Florida, alimony may be awarded to a spouse on either a temporary or a permanent basis. The purpose of temporary (rehabilitative) spousal support is to allow an individual to achieve financial independence as quickly as possible. Such payments might make advanced education feasible so the ex-spouse has better work prospects, etc. The amount and duration of payments is at the discretion of the court to decide. Permanent alimony is more likely to be awarded when a couple was married for a long time. The spouse receiving payments might no longer have the opportunity to achieve a viable career. For example, a wife may have spent several decades raising children or caring for other family members and not have a set of skills that are valued by employers. Or, one spouse might have a disability that creates a gap in financial equality with the other spouse.