When a marriage ends, painful decisions must be made; there’s no way around it. Many of those decisions revolve around finances. If one partner earns the majority (or all) of the marital income, the other partner may need ongoing support while they get back on their feet. In these situations, it’s common for the divorcing couple to agree on alimony or for the court to order alimony. Whether you’re the party expected to pay or receive alimony, it’s important to know your options and advocate for yourself. Call Coumanis & York at 251-336-3121 to set up a time to talk to our team. Spousal support is not awarded in every Alabama divorce; it depends entirely on the circumstances of your marriage and the resources available to both spouses. In marriages where there is a major earning imbalance or one party does not work outside the home, divorce leaves the lower-earning or non-earning spouse at a disadvantage. Alimony seeks to balance the earning differences between the two parties, at least temporarily, until the lower-earning spouse can support themselves. In most cases, the goal of spousal support is to temporarily support the lower-earning individual until they become self-reliant. It’s very rare for spousal support to be a permanent solution, although there are circumstances that call for it. There are several different types of alimony that may be awarded in a Foley, AL divorce. When you work with our team of divorce attorneys, we’ll help you understand your options and what you will likely either pay or receive. The main types of spousal support include: If divorcing partners are negotiating alimony or the matter is up for debate in court, there are a number of factors tased to make this decision easier. It’s a fairly nuanced topic, which is why there’s no cut-and-dry answer to “How much alimony will I have to pay in Alabama?” Some of the factors that may be used to determine how much alimony is paid and how long it will be paid for include: Even after spousal support has been ordered and put into a divorce agreement, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a done deal. There are circumstances in which spousal support should be modified or terminated completely. For example, if the paying party must take a drastic reduction in income due to a change in health, ability to work, or the loss of a job, they may be able to petition the court for a decrease in alimony. Note, though, that this does not work if the person voluntarily takes a lower income or leaves their job. The court will generally still expect them to continue paying at the ordered level. If the person receiving alimony is able to support themselves and their earning power increases significantly, that may warrant a reduction or termination of spousal support. Additionally, alimony should be terminated if the receiving party remarries or begins living with a romantic partner. Cohabitation is specifically addressed under Alabama law, as some individuals have attempted to keep their spousal support while essentially living as a married person with a new partner. If an ex-spouse paying alimony suspects that their ex-partner is living with a new romantic partner, they can speak to an attorney about getting spousal support terminated. Spousal support is a complex issue in the world of family law, and it’s important to discuss your concerns and questions with an experienced family law attorney in Foley, AL. Let us help. Call Coumanis & York at 251-336-3121 or reach out online to set up a consultation.Foley, AL Alimony Spousal Support Lawyers
The Role of Spousal Support
Types of Alimony in Foley, AL
Factors That Impact Spousal Support
Terminating or Modifying Alimony
Contact Coumanis & York to Discuss Your Family Law Needs
Foley, AL Alimony Spousal Support Lawyers
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Daphne, AL 36526
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