Spousal support is a common legal dispute among divorced couples, which
is why we want to take the time to answer some of the questions we are
commonly asked about this particular subject.
What Is Alimony?
Alimony is sometimes called
spousal support and is a separate award from child support. Alimony is intended to go
towards the needs of your ex-spouse, not your children. Courts order alimony
to keep the economic status of both partners at the same level it was
before the
divorce.
How Is Alimony Determined?
The following factors are used by courts to determine alimony awards:
- The established standard of living for both parties during their marriage
- The specific circumstances that led to the couple’s divorce
- The physical and mental health of each partner
- Whether the receiving partner has the ability to support themselves
- The needs of the spouse requesting alimony
- Any other agreements made between the parties on the subject
How Long Do I Have to Pay Alimony For?
How long you have to pay alimony will depend on the specific details of
your case. In general, the spouse who receives alimony is expected to
become self-sufficient at some point. However, there are cases where spouses
have been awarded permanent alimony. You should speak to a divorce lawyer
about your case to find out how long you will likely have to pay alimony.
Can Alimony Be Awarded While My Divorce Is Still Pending?
Courts can order alimony payments while you are separated or while your
divorce is still pending. Courts do this to ensure that the spouse seeking
alimony has enough to live on during the divorce process.
Can Alimony Orders Be Modified?
Whether your alimony order can be modified will depend on the details of
your situation. An experienced divorce lawyer can review your settlement
and explain how flexible your alimony orders are.
Is Alimony Taxable?
If your divorce was finalized before 2019, spousal support payments made
by the paying spouse are tax deductible, while support paid to a spouse
is taxable income. If your divorce is finalized after January 1st 2019, the paying spouse is no longer entitled to the tax deduction and
the recipient spouse doesn’t have to report the payments as part
of their taxable income.
Divorce Attorney Serving Annapolis
Do you have more questions about spousal support orders? Our legal professionals
are here to assist you and walk you through each detail of your case.
At the Law Office of Nicholas T. Exarhakis, we are committed to making
sure our client’s rights are protected throughout their case, and
we have the skills and resources that you need to secure a favorable outcome.
Stop by our office today to speak to one of our legal advocates.
Call (410) 593-0040 to
request your free consultation with our
family law lawyer in Annapolis.