Paul Witt, the Former Husband, and Tonya A. Witt, the Former Wife, timely appeal and cross-appeal the final judgment of dissolution of marriage. Because the equitable distribution scheme created in the final judgment is unclear, we reverse and remand for the trial court to appropriately delineate its equitable distribution scheme. On remand, the trial court shall *1129 also make statutorily required findings regarding alimony.
The parties in this case were married on August 17, 2002, and the dissolution of marriage action was filed on November 21, 2005. The final hearing was held on May 6, 2009. The parties stipulated to some facts while others remained in dispute. The appellate record does not contain a transcript of this hearing, though it does contain exhibits introduced at the hearing as well as the final judgment. In the final judgment, the circuit court made findings regarding the equitable distribution of property and debts.
This court reviews the circuit court’s findings regarding equitable distribution for an abuse of discretion.
See Canakaris v. Canakaris,
While a trial court has broad discretion to fashion an equitable distribution scheme, it must support its distribution with specific factual findings.
See
§ 61.075(1), Fla. Stat.;
Prest,
On remand, the trial court also must make factual findings regarding its denial of alimony as required by section 61.08, Florida Statutes (2011). At the time the final judgment in this case was entered, section 61.08 read as follows:
(2) In determining a proper award of alimony or maintenance, the court shall consider all relevant economic factors, including but not limited to:
(a) The standard of living established during the marriage.
(b) The duration of the marriage.
(c) The age and the physical and emotional condition of each party.
(d) The financial resources of each party, the nonmarital and the marital assets and liabilities distributed to each.
*1130 (e) When applicable, the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable such party to find appropriate employment.
(f) The contribution of each party to the marriage, including, but not limited to, services rendered in homemaking, child care, education, and career building of the other party.
(g) All sources of income available to either party.
The court may consider any other factor necessary to do equity and justice between the parties.
§ 61.08, Fla. Stat. (2009) (emphasis added). Here, the court simply denied the Former Wife’s request for alimony because the Former Husband was going to make an equalizing payment and this was a short-term marriage. However, the trial court did not address all of the appropriate factors required by the 2009 statute.
Accordingly, we reverse and remand for the court to create a proper equitable distribution scheme in accordance with section 61.075.
See Guobaitis v. Sherrer,
Reversed and remanded with directions.
