SPOUSAL SUPPORT & ALIMONY

If you are contemplating divorce, then spousal support, more commonly called alimony, needs to be considered.

Alimony, also known as support alimony or spousal support, is financial support paid by one spouse to the other. The purpose of alimony is to help a financially dependent spouse through a period of post-divorce readjustment from dependency to self-sufficiency. It is not ordered in every case, and it is not sex-specific. Either the husband or wife may be required to pay the other alimony in a divorce case.

Unlike child support, there isn’t any specific formula the court uses to determine payment of support alimony. Instead, there are a number of factors a judge will consider when determining an alimony award. These include a demonstrated need for support alimony and an ability to pay support alimony. The judge will also consider other factors such as the parties’ station in life, the length of the marriage, the health and age of each spouse, the earning ability and education of each spouse, and the parties’ financial means. A judge has broad discretion to determine if alimony should be paid, what amount of alimony is necessary, and the terms of payment. Under certain circumstances, alimony may be modified or terminated.

 

There are several different types of alimony or spousal support that may be applicable to your situation. Those include, but are not limited to, temporary alimony, permanent alimony, rehabilitative alimony, lump sum alimony, durational alimony and permanent periodic alimony. Spousal support, in some circumstances, may be taxable or non-taxable, modifiable or non-modifiable. It may be permanent or for a fixed period of time. Flaherty Law Firm understands it is important for each client to be fully advised of their rights and possible implications of receiving or paying spousal support.

 

Spousal support greatly impacts one’s finances and lifestyle, whether you are the one who has worked outside of the home or the one who has been a stay-at-home parent. The attorneys at Flaherty Law Firm use extensive knowledge and expertise to negotiate or litigate the issue of support alimony to get the ruling you deserve, whether you are seeking payment of support alimony or defending against an alimony claim. If you have questions or concerns about support alimony in your particular case, please contact us to schedule a free, confidential legal consultation and evaluation of your rights.