Spousal Support: What Are the Options Available to You? 

10th November 2022

Generally, getting married is associated with a fairy tale ending. You have found the love of your life, and now life will sail through all the hardship smoothly. Unfortunately, that is not true for many couples. 

According to statistics, in Pennsylvania (PA), separation cases are surging. As per the latest reports, there are 1532 cases in Montgomery Country alone. 

Indeed, divorce is a heart-wrenching scenario. Yet, it is better than living in an unhealthy relationship and affecting your future. 

Likewise, not every separation case is the same. Some could be mutual, and others may include child custody, domestic violence, and spousal support. 

This article will discuss the options available to the dependent party for spousal support. So, let’s begin. 

What is Spousal Support? 

Spousal support, better known as alimony, is the financial support that the dependent spouse receives. This assistance helps the receiver become financially independent while also acknowledging the role of the other spouse in the marriage.

Typically, the court calculates the financial assistance on the following bases: 

In addition, circumstances such as the involvement of a child are taken into account to determine the total alimony.  

It is noteworthy that divorce laws and financial aid calculations vary from state to state. Therefore, if you reside in Pennsylvania, you must work with a qualified family lawyer in Montgomery County, PA, to get appropriate support. The professionals can understand the details of your case and provide appropriate options to simplify the complex case. 

Types of Spousal Support:

Rehabilitative alimony is given for a predetermined amount of time. It provides the beneficiaries with financial support to get the appropriate education and training to support themselves. The non-working parent who stays home to care for the kids is eligible for this kind of spousal support.

Although the court order or agreement sets a time frame for the payments of rehabilitative support, this alimony may be subject to review at the end of the time frame.

This support gets paid until the beneficiary remarries or any of the parties involved dies. Some jurisdictions will stop or postpone their permanent support obligation if the beneficiary cohabitates with another partner. In this circumstance, the court would consider whether the beneficiary received support from the third person and whether their shared living arrangements resembled a remarriage.

Similarly, when circumstances change, such as the receiver gaining a better-paying job, getting a significant income source (such as an inheritance or winning the lottery), or facing uninsured medical costs, permanent alimony payments may need to be altered.

Finally, temporary support is paid when the divorce is not finalized but the couple is living separately. The parties sign a written marital separation agreement that details how much will be paid and when. 

It is noteworthy the agreement need not be filed in court. However, if it is, the judge can determine if the temporary alimony amount is reasonable and whether either party was coerced into signing the arrangement.

Conclusion 

The decision to end a marriage is extremely personal yet disheartening. Nonetheless, the partners must exercise their rights to live a healthy and financially stable life. So, you must follow the tips to make the divorce proceeding seamless. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE TO POSTS




All rights reserved. Please do not take images or content from this site without written permission.