Alimony

Alimony is a periodic payment by one spouse for the support of the other because of differences in their incomes and ability to be self-supporting.   

Alimony is one of the more complex issues in divorce because:

• There are two types of alimony – rehabilitative and indefinite
• Alimony awarded by a court is modifiable, so can be changed or extended when material changes in circumstance arise
• There is not a mandatory formula for determining whether alimony should be awarded or the amount, rather, alimony depends upon a number of factors
• Judges vary widely about whether to award alimony, the amount, and duration, making it difficult to predict what a court would do
• Alimony awarded by a court is modifiable, which means it can be changed, both in amount and duration, when a material change occurs
• By agreement, alimony can be non-modifiable and alimony terms can be customized in ways not allowed by a court

Together, my client and I work as a team to:

• Assess the client’s alimony claim and/or risk
• Pursue or defend alimony claims in court
• Personalize alimony settlement and agreement drafting to the client’s unique circumstances
• Modify alimony
• Terminate court-awarded alimony and earnings withholding orders
• Collect and enforce alimony awards

Since 2002, I have helped clients navigate the complications of alimony and the security of their financial futures.