Alimony
Under certain circumstances, one spouse may be required to pay alimony (also sometimes called ‘spousal support’) to the other. Usually this is only for a limited amount of time to allow the receiving spouse to continue their education and become more financially independent, although it can also sometimes last until the spouse receiving the support remarries or dies.
The parties to a divorce can negotiate an alimony amount themselves, or the court can decide whether there should be any alimony, and if so, how large the award will be. The judge’s decision is guided by many factors, including the standard of living established during a marriage, the time needed by either party to acquire education or training to find appropriate employment, and the contribution of each party to the marriage. However, the judge can decide to award alimony based solely on one party’s need and the other party’s ability to pay.
Whichever side of an alimony dispute you find yourself on, I can be there on your team and go to bat for your side within the framework of the law to a mediator or judge.
