If you are divorcing your spouse, one of the items you must resolve during the process is alimony. If you are the spouse who earns less income, it is likely you will be awarded alimony to maintain the standard of living you enjoyed while you were married. To determine the amount paid, a judge will review several factors, including the amount of money each party earns and what their reasonable expenses will be. Continue reading to learn more about the factors involved in determining alimony.
Determining Alimony in a Divorce
No two divorces are identical, so what may be awarded in one divorce may not be reasonable for another. That said, certain factors are always considered to render such decisions.
Below are some of the factors a judge will review to determine alimony:
- The length of the marriage
- The health and age of each spouse
- The non-economic and economic contributions each spouse made to the marriage
- The ability of each spouse to maintain the standard of living during the marriage
- The economic opportunities either spouse lost due to the marriage
- The employment of each spouse or the ability each spouse has to obtain a job
- The length of time the receiving spouse would need for training or education to become self-sufficient
Moreover, a judge will also determine how long the alimony payments will last, which can vary depending on the circumstances. In some situations, however, time and amount limits may not apply to alimony payments.
Below are the circumstances in which these limitations do not apply:
- Reimbursement alimony
- Rehabilitative alimony
When a different length of time or different amount of alimony is ordered, it is referred to as a deviation. A judge may deviate from alimony limits for several reasons, including chronic illness or old age.
Set Up a Consultation with an Experienced Family Law Attorney to Discuss Your Case!
Alimony is a key factor in a divorce. At Barach Law Group LLC, our family law team can provide the experienced legal representation you need to ensure your alimony is fair and appropriate for your circumstances. Our team is backed by more than two decades of legal experience and is committed to providing personalized legal solutions. Moreover, our team members are familiar with local judges.
Reach out to our law office today at 617-819-1805 to set up an initial consultation with a knowledgeable member of our family law team to find out more about what we can do for you.