Are you concerned about your financial stability post-divorce? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, most people are worried about how they are going to maintain their standard of living during as they start the next chapter of their life post-divorce. This may be especially true for those who sacrificed their own career for the benefit of their spouse and their family as a whole.
For example, an individual who quits his or her job in order to raise children may be at a financial disadvantage post-divorce given that he or she will not have the education and experience common with working people of his or her age. The same holds true for those who give up opportunities in order to allow their spouses to obtain a higher level of education.
Those who find themselves in this position may be able to secure financial stability, though, by seeking alimony. The amount of alimony awarded, if any, depends on a number of factors, so those who are seeking spousal support need to be prepared to offer evidence that speaks to those factors. Among those are:
- The length of the marriage
- The physical and emotional condition of the parties
- The actual needs of the parties
- The potentially owing party’s ability to pay alimony
- Each party’s earning capacity
- The parental obligations of each party
- The time and money necessary for a receiving spouse to get caught up with education and training
- Contributions made to the marriage by each party
- Each party’s financial resources
The court also has the ability to consider any other factors that it deems relevant to an appropriate determination. This means that there is a lot of room for argument when dealing with alimony issues. Given the stakes at hand for both parties involved, alimony disputes are usually hotly contested. So, before engaging in a bitter alimony fight, consider whether you would benefit from the assistance of a skilled legal advocate.
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