Spousal maintenance, or alimony, is a regular payment made by one spouse to another after divorce. The outcome of a spousal maintenance case is extremely difficult to predict in a divorce; the law is complex and always evolving to reflect changes in society. Courts seldom allow one spouse to receive “excessive” spousal maintenance, and courts are often reluctant to grant alimony at all. However, the right spousal maintenance attorney can argue for a fair agreement that will help you maintain your lifestyle or protect your assets. Contact the Belt Law Firm to minimize your risk of an unfair divorce settlement.

What are the legal justifications for spousal maintenance? In most cases, to financially support a lesser-earning spouse until they improve career prospects. Generally, unless the spouse to receive spousal maintenance is over fifty and the marriage lasted more than twenty years, the award will be for a limited time. In some cases, spousal maintenance may be considered a form of reimbursement for opportunities that were passed on during the course of the marriage. If you are getting divorced and considering a return to school or seek additional vocational training, your family law attorney may be able to argue that these expenses should be part of an alimony settlement.

Major factors are often the disparity in the parties’ earnings and the length of the marriage, but the court may look at other factors as well: