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Alimony 101: What Are My Options and What Should I Ask For?

Alimony 101: What Are My Options and What Should I Ask For?

Married couples don’t get married with the idea that they’re going to get divorced, yet divorce is just as likely as the couple staying together forever. A separation can be difficult on an emotional, physical, and financial level. While your divorce attorney can’t help with some of the fallout, they can help with the alimony side of things. If you’re wondering if you’re eligible for alimony, keep reading and then contact Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell at (909) 920-0908 to make an appointment.

How does a judge determine alimony?

The biggest factor is the financial circumstances within the marriage at the time divorce is filed for and finalized. If it’s not possible for one spouse to maintain their standard of living, then the other spouse must provide assistance to help them. Other factors that affect whether alimony is issued and how much it is include how long the couple was married, the emotional and physical health of both spouse, the contributions both spouse made to the marriage (including both financially and regarding homemaking), resources of each individual, and the age and health of both spouse.

Which of the four types of alimony should I ask for?

There are four basic types of alimony that you may be eligible for. As soon as your divorce proceedings get started, your attorney should have a temporary alimony order secured assuming you’re the lower-earning spouse. This decree is in place until a permanent alimony order comes into play. Any attorney is likely to be able to get this first of the four options, temporary alimony, but it takes an experienced attorney to get a fair shake in the rest of the options.

  • Transitional alimony. This is usually just a single payment and is meant to help the spouse who earns less to do something such as moving, buying a car, or anything else that would move them toward being in a position of becoming independent.
  • Lifetime alimony. If you and your spouse were married for more than a decade then lifetime alimony may be put into place. Note that while it’s referred to as “lifetime alimony,” this isn’t always the case. For example, if the spouse who’s receiving alimony remarries, then they lose their right to lifetime alimony.
  • Rehabilitative alimony. If the lower-earning spouse wants to get job training, go to school, or otherwise make themselves more employable, then they may get rehabilitate alimony. It’s provided for a set period of time.

The best way to know which of these options is right for your situation is to talk to an experienced family law attorney.

Call us today to learn more about more about your alimony options

Whatever side you’re on, whether you’re the lower earner or the higher earner, you want a fair decision. We can help you with that. Contact Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell at (909) 920-0908 today to have a consultation scheduled.

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My ex-wife hired an attorney which prompted me to do so for our divorce. Torrence Howell was highly recommended from a friend of mine who used Torrence’s services for a divorce just like mine. The results came out much better than he ever thought it would. With all things being equal I felt Torrence would

-Anonymous May 23, 2018

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