Alimony is an important protection for some people going through divorce. The goal of obtaining this support may be to have a better quality of life following the divorce or to bridge the gap, so to speak, until the person is able to advance their career, complete an educational program or otherwise secure their living arrangements and budget.
A court can agree to grant alimony to either party. The types of alimony the state allows include:
- Bridge-the-gap
- Rehabilitative
- Durational
- Permanent
These may be used in any combination. For example, a bridge-the-gap support plan may have a limited duration of a year, or a rehabilitative plan may last for five. Permanent alimony usually lasts indefinitely unless the party receiving it remarries or otherwise no longer needs that support.
How does a court determine how much alimony is fair?
To determine how much is fair, the court may look at factors such as:
- How long the marriage has lasted
- The standard of living that was established during the marriage
- The types of financial resources available to either party
- How much each person contributed to the marriage
As well as many other factors.
Is it possible to obtain permanent alimony?
Yes, but it is not as common as other forms. Permanent alimony is normally awarded to provide for someone who lacks the financial ability to meet their own needs after the marriage ends. This is more likely after a very long marriage or if there are exceptional circumstances following a shorter marriage. If you want to seek this, you will need to have strong support to show why alimony is necessary on a permanent basis.
Whether you’re seeking alimony or you’re being asked to pay it, it’s important to work with your attorney to present an effective case.
