Understanding The Basics of Alimony during Divorce

When going through a divorce, both parties have to understand the legal consequences of it. It is not as simple as “signing the papers” and “never seeing each other again”. There are both legal and moral consequences of every divorce.

To start with, you will have to divide everything that was made during marriage by 50-50. That involves:

• Your assets
• Your finances
• Everything that you own of value

Finally, there are two things left to handle:

• Custody over children (if there are children involved)
• Alimony or spousal support

The court may sometimes award financial help to one of the spouses, based on an agreement between the two spouses. Since this agreement is not always easy to make, the court decides the size of the alimony and how often it is given to one of the spouses.

Here is everything that you need to know about alimony and how it is determined.

Awarding Alimony

Before one of the spouses is awarded alimony, the court takes several things into consideration:

• The age and physical condition
• The emotional state
• The financial condition
• The living standards during the marriage and after marriage
• The payer’s ability to support the ex-spouse

Once everything is carefully taken into consideration, one of the two former spouses is awarded alimony, if there is the reason for it. Usually, if any of these factors show that the spouse will have a worse life than before (in terms of finances, luxury, comfort, inability to earn income), that spouse will be awarded alimony, determined by the court.

The size of the alimony can be negotiated, but once finalized, it has to be respected by both parties.

If you need help with your divorce or want to obtain alimony from it (or negotiate the size of it), consult with a Fort Lauderdale Alimony Attorney today; schedule a free consultation and an attorney will help you receive all the help that you need.

For How Long Does one Have to Pay Alimony?

The general rule is that alimony is given for “As long as it is necessary”, meaning that it can be changed or completely canceled in the future, should the conditions change. This means that if certain factors change in the receiver’s life, the court may decide to cancel alimony. These factors and changes involve:

• Getting married again
• A child growing up and becoming an adult
• Getting a promotion or a better job
• Suddenly obtaining financial funds or an inheritance

After one or more of these factors have changed, the payer may seek financial assistance and influence the alimony’s status. If you need help with your alimony or want to inquire whether or not you are able to change its status, call an alimony attorney in Fort Lauderdale today and seek legal guidance.

An attorney will help you with everything you need help with, and if possible, appeal to change the status of your alimony. Do not hesitate or wait to give us a call and schedule your consultation today, completely free of charge.