 Alimony, also known as spousal support, is available in cases where one spouse needs support and the other spouse has the ability to pay it. Alimony is usually a very contested issue in divorce cases.
There are several types of alimony, but the most commong are lump sum and periodic alimony. Lump sum alimony is exactly what the name implies: an amount of alimony paid only once to the other spouse.
Periodic alimony is the commonly known type of alimony that provides payments over time to a spouse until the receiving spouse remarries, or, in some case, cohabitates with another person. Periodic alimony is usually awarded to spouses who have had a long-term relationship.
It may some times be possible to obtain rehabilitative alimony for a spouse. Rehabilitiate alimony is used to assist a needy spouse in adjusting to a new life and to aid in obtaining new skills, education, and/or other rehabilitation.
How is the Amount of Alimony Determined?
The amount of support awarded is dependent upon the standard of living established by the parties during the marriage. In determining the amount of alimony, the court will also consider the duration of the marriage, the age and the physical and emotional condition of each party, the financial resources of each party, the non-marital and the marital assets and liabilities distributed to each, the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable such party to find appropriate employment, the contribution of each party to the marriage, including but not limited to, services rendered in homemaking, child care, education, and career building of the other party, and all sources of income available to either party. |
