Your attorney can talk with you about how to seek alimony from your former spouse after divorce, if you are in need of financial assistance. The intention of alimony is to give monetary support for the spouse who earned less than the other during the marriage. Alimony may also be referred to as spousal support, and is separate from child support. The laws pertaining to alimony can vary based on the state you reside, so it’s important to meet with a member of our legal team in-person about how these laws can impact you.
How Alimony May Be Paid
Depending on your circumstances, alimony may be paid as one large lump sum, in regular payments with a set end date, or based on a temporary arrangement. Your family law lawyer in Gig Harbor, WA, like from Robinson & Hadeed, can talk with you about the pros and cons of each form of alimony, which you may be eligible to receive, and for how much. We can also assist in the application process to ensure your paperwork is completed accurately and entirely.
Lump Sum Alimony: when the total of the alimony is paid in one sum, instead of periodic payments. If you are hoping to receive your alimony through a large lump sum, then we suggest meeting with an attorney as soon as possible for details.
Temporary Alimony: alimony is typically awarded as the divorce is still in the pending stages. Temporary alimony may become necessary due to how long it may take before permanent alimony is established and issued.
Permanent Alimony: the paying spouse is to submit monetary payment to the other spouse until death. However, there are instances where permanent alimony may be cancelled, such as if the receiving spouse has remarried, begun cohabitating with another adult, either spouses pass away, or the spouses resume marital relations.
Rehabilitative Alimony: alimony that is provided only for a short duration of time, to permit the spouse receiving to establish themselves financially. The goal is for the receiving spouse to work towards being financially independent.
The judge handling the alimony request is likely to take in many factors before making a final decision. These factors can include the following:
- How long the marriage lasted
- The standard of living during the marriage
- What each former spouse can pay or needs in order to maintain a similar standard of living
- Age and health of each former spouse
- If having a job would make it too difficult for one parent to take care of shared children
- The amount of accumulated debts and property
- Whether one of the spouses had supported the other while they sought education, career development, a professional license, or other training
- Whether one spouse had not worked in order to raise children
- How spousal support may be impacted by taxes
If you are seeking alimony and need help, please don’t hesitate to contact us to book your free initial consultation with an attorney.