Spousal Maintenance and Alimony

In some divorce cases, a judge may see fit to award alimony, or spousal maintenance, to one of the former spouses. Alimony is intended to balance the economic consequences of divorce by requiring the higher-earning spouse to provide a certain level of financial support to the lower-earning spouse. Laws governing spousal maintenance vary by state, but courts generally have broad discretion when it comes to determining whether or not to award alimony, how much to award, and for how long.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeff Zurbriggen have extensive experience handling complex spousal support cases and can help you maximize your legal rights and options.

Please contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

How are alimony awards determined?

Courts take into consideration a number of factors when determining whether or not to award alimony. Some of the more common considerations include:

• Length of marriage
• Standard of living established during the union
• Physical, emotional, and financial condition of each spouse
• The financial ability of one spouse to provide support to the other

Alimony awards are usually not permanent. In fact, many alimony awards are deemed rehabilitative, which means that the payments must be made only until the recipient spouse becomes self-sufficient. However, not all divorce decrees specify a termination date for spousal maintenance, in which case the payments must be made until a court order rules otherwise. Depending on various circumstances, courts may order alimony payments be made at specified intervals or in a lump sum.

Legal Help

In the past, spousal maintenance was primarily awarded to housewives who gave up careers to take care of children and the home. Today, this is not necessarily the case. As times have changed, so have the courts and the standards by which alimony awards are determined.

If spousal support is an issue in your marriage, let us help you. Our team of seasoned family law attorneys is dedicated to providing aggressive and effective legal representation to clients. We can help you understand the laws that apply to your case and help you plan the best course of action.

Please contact the Law Offices of Jeff Zurbriggen today for a no-cost consultation with an experienced divorce attorney.