Family Law
Alimony/ Post-Separation Support

Alimony or spousal support is an amount that would be awarded to a supported spouse upon the dissolution of the marriage. The goal of an alimony award is to leave the supported spouse in the same standard of living that they are accustomed to. There does not have to be any adultery or other fault ground, only a clear indication that one spouse makes more money than the other. Fault grounds, although unnecessary, may be alleged to augment or avoid alimony.

This is an unpredictable area of law. You should consult with an attorney before seeking alimony, but make sure that there is a good chance of recovery, otherwise, you may spend more money trying to get it than you stand to gain. People who were married for short periods of time or where there is not much disparity of income probably should not apply. It is important to understand all possible outcomes before filing an action. If you should choose to proceed with an alimony action, you must proceed aggressively, but do not appear to be spiteful.

If your ex-spouse is seeking alimony from you, it is important to appear to desire to be supportive, but make your financial limitations clear. In many cases, a supporting spouse may agree to give away much more alimony than they would otherwise have to due to a feeling of guilt. Make sure you talk to an attorney before reviewing any proposed settlements. It is very difficult to modify an alimony settlement, so make sure you get it right the first time.

Contact DeWitt Law for assistance with alimony / post-separation support.