A factor that many couples going through divorce are curious about is whether they may be eligible to receive alimony payments, commonly referred to as spousal support. There are a number of different factors that are considered when determining whether a spousal support award is appropriate for your situation.

First, the court will consider how long the couple was married. Longer marriages usually have a better chance that alimony will be awarded for a longer period of time. The court will also take potential income and earning potential into consideration when deciding on an alimony award. If one spouse made the decision to put their career on hold to stay at home and raise the children while the other spouse worked, they may be awarded alimony. However, if one spouse worked and supported the other spouse while they continued their education, the spouse who worked may be eligible for alimony that would pay them back for the money they used to support the spouse in school.

There are also a number of situations where alimony is not awarded at all. Plenty of times, both spouses are financially independent and spousal support becomes unnecessary.

If you have questions about whether you may be eligible for spousal support in your divorce, contact an experienced attorney today. An attorney will be able to assess your situation and tell you if they think an alimony award is a possibility for you.

If you require experienced legal representation for any of your divorce and family law matters, contact the Law Offices of Mark S. Paige, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.