Divorce Lawyer Arlington TX
If you’ve hired a divorce lawyer Arlington TX residents trust, you may have already discussed alimony. Whether you have to pay alimony or you plan to receive it, it always helps to know what to expect when it comes to alimony payments after a divorce. If you need help dealing with your divorce or your alimony payments, Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC is here for your call. Call 817-985- 3546 today for your free consultation with an Arlington divorce lawyer.
What is Alimony?
A divorce lawyer Arlington TX has to offer may tell you that alimony is also known as maintenance or spousal support and it occurs after a divorce is final. If you’ve been married for a while and one spouse earned considerably more money than the other spouse during the marriage, the wealthier spouse may be ordered to pay alimony. Keep in mind that alimony often doesn’t happen after short marriages or in marriages when both partners earned around the same income.
Your divorce lawyer in Arlington TX may be able to go into more detail about how alimony is set up, but in general, there are a few things you may want to know. If you have to pay alimony, you may have to pay until one of the following conditions are met:
- The receiving spouse remarries
- Your children don’t need a full-time parent at home
- Retirement or some other event occurs that causes the judge to reconsider the amount paid
- A judge determines that the receiving spouse hasn’t made enough effort to become partially self-supporting
- You or the receiving spouse passes away
You may want the help of a divorce lawyer Arlington TX residents trust to help you negotiate with your spouse. You and your spouse may have a chance to agree on the amount and duration of alimony, but if you can’t agree, then the court may decide for you.
If You’re Paying Alimony…
You may feel that paying alimony isn’t fair, but if it’s court-ordered, you must do it or you may face consequences. One way to look at alimony payments is that if you were still married, you’d be paying that much (and maybe more) to contribute to your life together. Something interrupted your life together and now both of you have to start over without each other.
Your divorce lawyer Arlington TX residents would recommend may be able to tell you more about the alimony laws in your state and what you can expect.
If You’re Receiving Alimony…
Whether or not you receive alimony from your divorce may be determined by your capacity to earn income — and not just the amount of money you’re earning now. The amount of money your spouse earns and your standard of living during your marriage may also be factored in to calculate a reasonable amount.
Prepare to make some changes in your career and in your life. For example, if you only worked part-time during the marriage and your income isn’t enough to support yourself, you may have to find full-time employment or a better paying job in addition to receiving alimony.
Now that you know a little more about what to expect when it comes to alimony, we encourage you to contact us with any questions you may have. Call Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC today at 480-305-8300 for your free consultation with a trusted divorce lawyer Arlington TX can provide.
