As you prepare for a divorce, it is crucial to discuss alimony. Calculating the amount and duration of spousal support can be challenging, as financial aid is not based solely on each spouse’s income. There are many factors the court must consider when ruling on alimony.
At Dolan Divorce Lawyers, our skilled family law attorneys can provide you with insight into how the court determines alimony. Call a Guilford spousal support lawyer to review your financial situation and begin taking steps to protect your lifestyle after divorce.
Spousal support is a payment by one former spouse to the other. Alimony can be paid during the divorce, once the dissolution is final, or both. Individuals may be entitled to temporary spousal support, rehabilitative support, or lifetime alimony.
This type of support is generally paid while the parties are going through the divorce proceedings. The purpose of temporary alimony is to maintain the status quo until the court issues the final divorce decree.
Rehabilitative support is paid for an agreed period to enable the recipient to obtain the skills, training, and education necessary to reenter the workforce and become financially independent. This type of alimony might end when the recipient graduates from college and can obtain a job.
Lifetime alimony is generally considered when two parties were married for a long time, and one worked outside the home while the other maintained the house and cared for the children. This type of spousal support is especially useful if the spouse who stayed home does not have an advanced degree or employable skills to obtain a well-paying job.
It is essential to note that lifetime alimony is not necessarily permanent. Payments may end if the recipient remarries or either party passes away.
There is no specific formula for calculating spousal support. Instead, state law, specifically Connecticut General Statutes §46-B-82, details the following multiple factors a court must consider when ruling on alimony:
When deciding on alimony, a court can give some of these factors more weight than others. Working with an effective lawyer in Guilford can help ensure the court considers an individual’s specific circumstances when awarding spousal support.
If both spouses waived their rights to alimony in the divorce agreement, neither party can return to court to seek spousal support in the future. However, where alimony is ordered, there must be a substantial change in circumstances to warrant a modification of alimony.
Courts compare both parties’ financial situations at the time the last spousal support order was issued with their circumstances at the time of the modification request to determine if there has been a substantial change. A minor income fluctuation alone generally does not constitute significant change, though the loss of a job may be enough to consider a modification. A dedicated attorney can help individuals in Guilford request or contest a change in alimony.
Judges have a lot of discretion in determining alimony awards. Because the receipt or payment of spousal support may impact you for years after the divorce, it is vital to have the assistance of a knowledgeable representative. A Guilford spousal support lawyer from our firm can assess the facts and determine whether alimony may be warranted in your case. Reach out today to get started.
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