When the term “alimony” is mentioned in the context of family law, people might have preconceived notions as to what it entails. Common concerns about alimony include how long it will last, whether it can be changed and how much the paying former spouse must pay. For this and other considerations in a divorce, it can be useful to have legal help.
There are four different kinds of alimony that can be ordered in New Jersey. First, there is open durational alimony. This is alimony that does not have an end date and is awarded to a person who has presented a valid reason for why he or she cannot self-support. For example, if the receiving spouse has a medical issue that prevents him or her from working, that could warrant open durational alimony.
Next, there is rehabilitative alimony. This is a short-term order that will be used to assist the receiving former spouse in getting training or education to be able to self-support and earn an income that is sufficient to eliminate the need for alimony.
Limited duration alimony differs from other forms of alimony as it is generally relegated to marriages that were short-term. If it was a marriage that happened when people were young and ended relatively quickly, this could be a justification for limited duration alimony as a person who is receiving these payments might be perceived as young and capable of learning a trade or getting the necessary education to earn a reasonable income.
Finally, there is reimbursement alimony. With this type of alimony, there is a certain amount that the paying spouse must repay to the other spouse. This could have been for caring for children, or it could be from paying for an education that the paying spouse used to get a job.
The type of alimony that will be paid will be decided upon after the courts gauge if alimony should be paid at all. When dealing with family law issues such as alimony, it is important to know how the case will be assessed by the court. Having legal assistance can be beneficial as the paying spouse and the receiving spouse will be fully protected and have an advocate to make an argument for their position.