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Determining Spousal Support After a Divorce

July 1, 2021

During a divorce, spousal support, or alimony, is awarded from one spouse to the other to help ensure they maintain the standard of living that they enjoyed during their marriage. Spousal support is often deemed necessary when the marriage includes a great disparity in income earned by both parties. Although determining alimony varies from state to state, the terms are generally settled in front of a judge, who then sets the amount and type of payments to be paid.

The Different Types of Spousal Support

Some of the standard types of spousal support include:

Permanent

Permanent alimony is considered indefinite. It is typically awarded to parties who were married 17 years or more. Permanent alimony is implemented when there is a significant gap in wealth between the two parties, as it is typically intended to financially provide for spouses who have not been working for a long period of time.

Durational

Durational spousal support is generally implemented in cases where the parties were in a marriage for less than 17 years. Under these circumstances, one spouse is provided payments for a set period of that is no longer than the amount of time the marriage lasted.

Bridge-the-Gap

A judge may order “bridge-the-gap” support when one spouse has not recently used their education or work skills. If the spouse needs assistance prior to re-entering the workforce, the court could order the payments for a set period of time, which allows the party time to obtain a job.

Rehabilitative

Rehabilitative alimony applies to individuals in need of funding to return to school or enroll in a job training program before they can successfully enter the workforce.

A dedicated spousal support attorney can assist an individual in determining which orders might apply to their situation and help them reach their goals throughout the process.

Important Considerations in an Alimony Case

Family court judges generally look at the following factors when making a ruling for spousal support in a divorce case:

  • Monthly income of each party
  • Reasonable expenses incurred
  • Length of the marriage
  • Age and health of each spouse
  • Earning capacity of each spouse
  • Financial situation of each spouse
  • Economic and non-economic contributions made by each spouse during the marriage
  • Economic opportunities lost during the marriage

A local attorney can prepare an individual’s necessary information and help ensure the other party is also providing full disclosure to the courts.

Contact Reach Out to a Dedicated Spousal Support Attorney Today

If you are having difficulties determining alimony in your divorce case, an experienced law professional at Dolan Divorce Lawyers PLLC can help. Legal grounds in regard to alimony are constantly changing, making it crucial to work with a lawyer with experience in this area.

Contact an attorney at Dolan Divorce Lawyers PLLC today to schedule a consultation.

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