Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a court-ordered payment that helps a lower-earning spouse meet their financial needs during or after the breakdown of a marriage. A court can award alimony on a temporary, rehabilitative, or permanent basis, depending on the circumstances and financial issues involved in your divorce.
Dolan Divorce Lawyers PLLC can help you understand the different types of alimony in Hartford and how each may apply to your situation. Once the court orders spousal maintenance, the obligation continues until either spouse requests a modification or terminates the arrangement. An experienced spousal support attorney from our firm can help you understand your legal rights and protect your financial interests.
Connecticut law allows courts to award alimony when certain circumstances apply. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-82, spousal maintenance helps both parties meet their financial obligations and maintain certain living standards they may have become accustomed to during the marriage. After the court orders alimony, the paying spouse may remit it in a lump sum or on a monthly, biweekly, or other schedule the parties agree to. Courts may order alimony payments after entering a divorce judgment, as follows.
This seeks to help a lower-earning spouse maintain financial stability during the divorce process or for a specified period following the divorce. A court bases this type of alimony on its review of the needs of each spouse.
This type of alimony is paid after the divorce process is complete to help one party transition back into a career and become financially independent. For example, if they have primarily served as a homemaker during the marriage and need time to complete education or training before re-entering the workforce, rehabilitative alimony can support that goal.
Sometimes known as lifetime alimony, this is less common but still exists under Connecticut law. In this situation, one spouse pays alimony until either party dies, unless another qualifying event occurs that allows for modification. Courts have broad discretion to award permanent alimony, but they must explain their specific reasons for awarding lifetime support. For example, if the receiving spouse has a disability that limits their earning capacity, permanent alimony may be appropriate.
Whether you are seeking alimony or need to respond to a request for support, a Hartford attorney at our firm can review the facts and determine which type and amount of support may be appropriate in your situation.
Unlike child support, which follows strict guidelines under state law, courts have more flexibility in determining when alimony is appropriate, and in setting the duration and amount of support. Judges will consider the following in relation to each spouse:
Our Hartford attorneys can explain the categories of spousal support and your likelihood of either paying or receiving alimony based on your particular set of circumstances. We can also help you seek fair alimony payments by demonstrating your situation and financial needs clearly to the court. Whether you expect to pay or receive alimony, the court can award support on either a temporary or long-term basis, and we can advocate for an equitable support timeline..
Courts may award different types of alimony in Hartford depending on each spouse’s financial circumstances, needs, and future earning capacity. The category and amount of alimony can become a critical issue during the breakdown of a marriage. To learn more about the alimony process and gain a dedicated legal advocate, call Dolan Divorce Lawyers PLLC today.
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