In most relationships, individuals support each other in a variety of ways. For married individuals, this often includes financial support. However, if one spouse becomes more financially dependent on the other for reasons directly related to the marriage, he or she may be entitled to support alimony in the event of a divorce.
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is determined on a case-by-case basis. While the Court does not follow specific guidelines when deciding alimony cases, it must consider the petitioning party’s financial need and the responding party’s ability to pay. Several other factors the Court may consider include:
- The standard of living during the marriage;
- Job history or employability of both parties;
- Length of the marriage; and
- The health and age of the parties.
Alimony is not designed to be permanent. It is meant to be temporary, to support a party through the transitional period from divorce to self-sufficiency. If the Court determines you are eligible, it will decide how much you will receive and for how long. It is important to retain the counsel of a skilled alimony lawyer to effectively represent your rights and interests.