Spousal support—frequently referred to as alimony—is a form of monthly payments from one ex-spouse to another following the dissolution of a marriage. Whether you are pursuing spousal support or are concerned you could be facing a request for alimony during the course of your divorce, a dedicated family law attorney might be able to help.
If you believe spousal support could play a role in your divorce proceedings, you could benefit from the guidance of experienced legal counsel. Ensuring you are treated fairly during the process is one way a Littleton spousal support lawyer could help.
There are four types of spousal support that exist under state law. Each type serves a different purpose and therefore has the potential to last for a different period of time. An attorney from Littleton could provide insight into which types of spousal support might be available.
Temporary—or pendente lite support—is a form of spousal support that is awarded during the course of the divorce process. This type of support is intended to keep the lower-income spouse from struggling financially as a divorce plays out. This type of support will never last beyond the end of a divorce case.
Rehabilitative support is a common form of financial support. Courts award this type of spousal support for spouses that set aside a career to care for children. This form of support could be available until that spouse is trained and prepared to return to the workforce and support themselves.
Reimbursement support is designed to compensate a spouse that has paid for the other spouse’s education or professional expenses. For example, this form of support could be available for a person who put their spouse through college while they were married.
Additionally, there is also permanent spousal support. Permanent support is fairly uncommon, as it is only awarded to spouses who will require support for a disability for the rest of their lives.
Spousal support is not intended to punish a spouse that was at fault for the breakup of the marriage. In fact, fault does not figure into the determination of spousal support at all. Instead, courts will typically award spousal support in cases where they find equity to require one spouse to support another.
It is not enough for a person to establish that they are in need of financial support. They must also show they meet the requirements for the particular type of support they are seeking and show their spouse has the financial means to make these payments.
Not all married couples are entitled to spousal support. A couple must be married for at least three years in order for the court to have the power to award financial support in this manner. When making this determination, the courts will consider a number of factors, including each spouse’s age, health, income, and the lifestyle they were accustomed to during the marriage. A spousal support attorney in Littleton could help with making the case that support is necessary given the circumstances.
If you believe you are entitled to support following your divorce, you must establish a number of factors to the court. If you cannot do so, the court is unlikely to find that you are entitled to any form of alimony.
A Littleton spousal support lawyer could assist you with making a case for financial support during your divorce proceedings. To learn more, schedule a consultation today.
