Many of us already know alimony and its importance for couples going through a divorce or separation process. However, for those who do not know much about it, we can describe it as a spousal support that one divorced spouse provides to the other.Â
According to law, spousal support or alimony is provided to that divorced spouse who may suffer a decrease in managing his life or maintaining his lifestyle. An alimony agreement is that particular agreement that forces a spouse earning better to support the spouse earning less.
How does Alimony Work?
It is the financial assistance a spouse provides to others after divorce. In the United States of America, many couples do not know whether they can receive alimony or not. Many factors are involved in it. However, if one spouse is richer than another or has been on the job for a long time, he becomes liable to provide spousal assistance to his partner.
If you have hired an experienced alimony attorney, he will suggest you agree to alimony through negotiations and mediation. This is because involving courts means the court system will resolve the issue as per the available information. On the other hand, mediation can keep you on a safer side financially and legally.
Factors that Affect Alimony Payments
The most important aspect is that alimony can be different for different couples. It means one-size-fits-all does not work in this situation. The mediators and judges will consider various things before deciding the deserving spouse and the amount to pay as an alimony. Let us explore them briefly!
Marital Duration
It is the most considerable factor for third parties and courts. The marriage length affects the alimony. If you have remained a couple for a long time, you may fall in the category of those who pay higher alimony.
Income Disparity
You can consider it significantly important if you earn less than your spouse. If you are earning more than your spouse, you will pay alimony. If one of the spouses also has a property, the court will determine him richer than the other.Â
Contributions During Marriage
The court system also determines the contribution of each spouse to living during marriage. The judges also identify financial and non-financial contributions and supports like managing household responsibilities and taking care of children. These contributions help determine the alimony more effectively.
Property Division
If the partners have a property, the court will help transfer this property to one of the spouses and compensate the other. If one of the spouses also has a property, the court will determine him richer than the other. In this case, hiring an estate planning lawyer helps identify the alimony payments.
The Bottom Line
The divorce process is complex and emotionally torturing. However, the challenges do not end even after this process, as you may deal with various other things to end the relations smoothly. Alimony agreement is one of those complex issues a couple may need to consider after divorce. Many factors are involved in it. However, we have considered the most significant and problematic. Remember, these factors have different weightage in the eyes of the court. Moreover, changes in jurisdiction may also affect the situation. Therefore, consulting with a family law attorney is the best option to avoid complexities.
