The determination of whether or not you will have to pay alimony can have a significant impact on your financial resources. It’s important to have a clear understanding of your legal obligations, but the laws vary by state and can be quite complex. An alimony lawyer can review the specifics of your circumstances and guide you through the legal process accordingly. It may also be possible to avoid court altogether and come to a mutual agreement with your spouse with the help of your lawyer. Call us for a free consultation to learn how an alimony lawyer from our firm may be able to help you.
Alimony Is Not a Given
Alimony is not awarded at the termination of every marriage. And when it is in play, it is not always the husband who pays the wife. In fact, alimony, otherwise known as spousal support or spousal maintenance, might be paid by the wife to the husband, if it’s paid at all. It’s important to protect your rights with the help of an experienced alimony lawyer. In addition to the prospect of paying alimony, you may also have to pay child support as well as additional living expenses now that you and your spouse will be living in separate households. An alimony lawyer can help make sure that you are not taken advantage of and that any agreements with your soon-to-be-ex spouse are fair and equitable.
Action for Post-Divorce Alimony
Laws regarding alimony eligibility post-divorce vary, so your alimony lawyer can explain how they will apply in your case. However, though your spouse can file an action for alimony at the time of the divorce, they may not be allowed to do so after the marriage is terminated. Your alimony lawyer can provide you with all of the specific requirements that your spouse must fulfill before filing for alimony. There may be residency requirements as well as jurisdictional restrictions if the divorce has not yet been finalized.
Eligibility to Receive Alimony
As mentioned, alimony is not a given and your spouse will have to meet certain criteria in order to meet eligibility requirements. As the law defines it, a “dependent spouse” is the one who is substantially financially dependent on their wife or husband and needs the financial support to continue in order to fulfill their basic living costs. However, as your alimony lawyer might tell you, if they are substantially dependent on you because they simply do not wish to work for a living, the judge may not order to pay them alimony. An alimony lawyer can assess the overall situation and make the case on your behalf for either not paying alimony at all, or else a reasonable amount that will terminate after a set amount of time.
Protect Your Rights: Talk to an Alimony Lawyer
An alimony lawyer Tampa, FL residents rely on can help make sure you are not taken advantage of—call our office today and request a free consultation.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at The McKinney Law Group for their insight into alimony after divorce and family law.
