Often in a marriage, one member of the couple makes more money than the other, or sometimes a spouse does not earn money from a job at all, as they are maintaining a home or children. Alimony, also known as spousal support, is money paid to support or supplement income for a husband or wife in the event of divorce, as a family lawyer, such as from Daniel J. Wright, can explain.
It is crucial to obtain an experienced, reputable attorney to help you through the divorce process. Each state has different laws pertaining to alimony and you will need a local attorney to help you navigate the process and receive the highest divorce settlement and spousal support you are entitled to. Just because you did not work outside the home and earn your own money, does not mean you are not entitled to share in the monies your spouse earned during your marriage.
The law firm of [Law Firm Name] is here to help you. Please call us today at [Phone Number] for a free consultation. Our experienced team of attorneys will make sure you understand the divorce process and help you receive the best settlement possible, based on your unique circumstances. Even if you cohabitated and are not married, you still may be entitled to a similar type of support, called Palimony. Always talk to a professional legal representative to make sure you understand your rights and can get the help you need.
There are several different types of alimony. You may be eligible for one of multiple forms of spousal support.
- Separation or Temporary Alimony is support you receive while the divorce proceedings are ongoing. A spouse is often entitled to funds to maintain their level of lifestyle during the marriage, until the court can decide how to divide marital assets and if there is any ongoing support warranted. It is important to obtain legal representation right away, so your day-to-day well-being and security are not in jeopardy.
- Rehabilitative Alimony can be granted when one spouse does not have the skills to support themselves adequately or has been out of the workforce awhile. In this case, the court can award that spouse alimony to help him or her get back on their feet financially. In some cases a spouse can receive ongoing support for schooling or training to learn a new career, or financial support to start a business, or bridge the gap while you search for a job. The amount and duration of alimony granted in this case varies widely based on individual circumstances.
- Permanent Alimony is granted for the life of the spouse or until he/she remarries. This type of alimony is usually reserved for long-term marriages where there is a large discrepancy in income. In some cases there is a cohabitation clause that triggers an end to the alimony if the recipient begins to live permanently with an individual.
- Reimbursement Alimony is less common, but can be granted by the court when one spouse has paid a significantly high amount of money to educate or help a spouse start a business. This can be a one-time re-payment or payments stretched out over time, until the predetermined reimbursement amount is repaid.
- Lump Sum Alimony is a one-time payment determined by the court, paid at the end of the divorce decree. This type of alimony is granted when a spouse does not want any of the marital assets, but prefers a pay-out determined by the judge, based on the couple’s resources and many other factors. Sometimes a judge will grant a lump sum alimony payment when a spouse is not legally entitled to typical alimony, but the other spouse is willing to help them with money to get back on their feet.
Regardless of your personal circumstances, it is imperative to retain the best legal counsel available. A law firm can help you achieve the best settlement in your divorce. Please call today for a consultation.