Divorce is a difficult time in a couple’s and their family’s lives. The legal procedure that comes with it can be overwhelming and draining. However, having good legal attorneys on either side will simplify the process. In a divorce, the spouse who is unemployed or dependent on the partner might face financial hindrances. In such cases, the court might award alimony or spousal support to the lower-earning spouse based on the couple’s mutual agreement or the court’s decision. The amount of alimony that will be granted is decided by the judge after considering several factors. Contact Holcomb Law, LLLC if you are facing any divorce related issues.
Factors that will support me in getting suitable alimony:-
Length of marriage: How many years you have lived together as a married couple will determine your alimony claim. Some states also consider the time the couple lived together before the marriage. The longer the marriage, the more suitable the alimony will be. A couple with 20 years of marriage will receive a larger amount of alimony compared to a couple with five years of marriage.
Health condition: If your spouse suffers from a serious health condition or some form of disability that does not allow them to go to work, they will be granted a good alimony claim.
Dependent spouse’s career and income before marriage: In some scenarios, one of the spouses might have given up their permanent corporate career and income opportunities to become a stay-at-home parent or take care of old people in the family. They will surely receive better alimony than a spouse who did the same work before marriage and during marriage.
Earning capacity: The earning capacity of the dependent during and after the marriage also decides the suitable alimony. A spouse with a high-paying job who decides to work part-time after the marriage might not receive much compared to the one with a lower earning income.
Conclusion
Alimony is completely different from the division of marital property, division of marital, financial assets, and child support payments. It should not be considered a punishment but a help to your spouse to get their life back on track. If the spouse refuses to pay alimony, you can take legal action to ensure the court order is enforced. Get in touch with an experienced divorce lawyer to help get your alimony claim.