Spousal Support/Alimony
The courts will consider a number of factors in determining whether, to what extent, and for what duration spousal support is appropriate. Some of these factors include:
- The length of the marriage
- The age and health of both parties
- The presence of children of the marriage in the respective homes of the parties
- The need to pay for exceptional additional expenses for the child/children, including but not limited to schooling, day care and medical treatment
- The ability of the party seeking maintenance to become self-supporting and, if applicable, the period of time and training necessary
- The equitable distribution of marital property
Protecting Your Rights and Assets
Issues of spousal support can become complicated in a high net worth divorce or in the division of extensive marital assets. We frequently work with business valuators, forensic accountants and other professionals whose expertise is invaluable to such cases.
Temporary Spousal Support
While a divorce is pending, temporary spousal support may be ordered by the court. Temporary spousal support is different from final spousal support, which may be part of the final divorce order or settlement when the divorce is finalized.
Temporary spousal support is determined according to statutory guidelines which were revised in October of 2010. There is now a formula to determine if temporary support is warranted and what if anything is to be paid. This formula only applies to temporary spousal support, not the final spousal support order.