Whether to seek or pay spousal support is an important decision in a divorce, and it can impact a family’s financial future for years to come. Judges have a lot of discretion on whether to award spousal support, and it is one of the more contentious issues to decide, as couples rarely agree on the terms of support.
An Owings Mills spousal support lawyer could provide crucial guidance for someone seeking financial aid from a spouse or being charged with paying the amount. Whether alimony is appropriate depends on the couple’s particular financial situation.
A seasoned family attorney could review factors like a client’s education, earning potential, and contributions to the marriage to determine what amount is fair. For more information, contact Nguyen Roche Sutton today for a free consultation.
Unlike child support payments, there is no formula to determine how much alimony should be paid. The decision to award spousal support depends mainly on the couple’s financial situation.
The judge in a divorce proceeding will often review relevant factors to determine if alimony payments should be paid and for how long. Some relevant factors to consider include the following:
Some couples’ financial situations may make it unwise to order alimony payments. However, in some circumstances, payments can help support someone financially while they seek the necessary training and education.
A spousal support lawyer in Owings Mills could help clients evaluate relevant factors and determine what makes sense based on their unique family dynamic.
Alimony is a financial obligation that one spouse may be required to pay the other for a certain period after divorce. The most common types of spousal support are rehabilitative, permanent, and limited.
This spousal support is given to an ex-spouse to become self-supporting through education and job training. It lasts for a limited time based on the rehabilitative goal to be achieved; for example, the alimony payments may last for four years to give an ex-spouse time to attain a college degree.
Permanent alimony lasts for an indefinite period, usually until either party dies. This spousal support is less common than it has been in the past. It is usually considered in long-term marriages where the spouses have extreme differences in earning capacities.
Limited-duration alimony is paid for a fixed time and is usually awarded for short-term help to supplement a spouse’s income during the divorce proceedings. Under certain circumstances, alimony for a specified term may be modified or terminated if the person receiving alimony begins to share housing with a new partner.
The laws surrounding spousal support can be complex, and the specific type and amount of alimony awarded will depend on the circumstances of each case. Consulting with a spousal support lawyer in Owings Mills is highly recommended for those amid divorce proceedings.
An Owings Mills spousal support lawyer could provide the necessary representation to calculate alimony payments or to enforce or modify an existing order.
For questions about spousal support, contact Nguyen Roche Sutton today. Our professional attorneys could advise clients on the different types of alimony and help them decide what is best for their families.
