If you’re going through a divorce, you are likely wondering whether you’ll have to pay alimony. In some cases, alimony is not awarded. Alimony, sometimes known as” spousal support” or “maintenance,” varies from case to case. The divorce process can be emotional and stressful. Try not to worry about finances before consulting with an attorney. You may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
There’s been an increasing trend in wives paying their husbands alimony. Only one in six women receives alimony. If a husband makes less money than his wife, he can request that his wife pay him spousal support.
Courts may order temporary spousal support until a final order is issued. Why award temporary spousal support? The goal of such support is to keep the family economically stable throughout the divorce process. During a divorce, the standard of living of both parties often declines. Thus, trying to support two households with the same amount of income may be challenging.
Alimony is rarely awarded for life. Alimony is commonly limited by compensatory or rehabilitative means. Compensatory alimony refers to lost income and professional growth. Rehabilitative spousal support is based on the costs of training the spouses to be able to support themselves. Once the receiving spouse remarried or cohabitates, alimony is usually terminated.
When determining how much a spouse will receive in alimony, courts take into account various factors, including, but not limited to:
•Employability
•Future earning capacity
•Length of the marriage
•Custody of the children
•Tax consequences
Consult with an attorney before making assumptions about how much you may owe in alimony. Alimony may not apply in your case. If alimony is applicable, and you become concerned about your finances, speak with attorney about setting up a reasonable and fair payment plan. If you’ve opted for a collaborative divorce or mediation, your attorney and your spouse’s attorney may help you both agree on alimony specifics. Try not to stress and leave the rest to your attorney!
