Bel Air Alimony Lawyer
Most marriages are not split evenly when it comes to salaries or savings, and one of the spouses is often destined to leave the marriage in a worse economic situation than what they grew accustomed to during the marriage. Alimony, or spousal support, serves to minimize this inequality. Spousal support is distributed among both men and women these days, so no matter who the lower earning spouse may be, they have an opportunity to receive financial support during or after the divorce. Contact our experienced Bel Air alimony lawyers today.
The Three Types of Spousal Support in Maryland
There are three types of spousal support in Maryland. The type of award and the amount depend upon the length of the marriage and many other factors. The three kinds of alimony include:
- Alimony Pendente Lite – This temporary alimony lasts during the divorce process only, and is designed to help the lower earning spouse continue to live the lifestyle that they grew accustomed to during the marriage.
- Rehabilitative Alimony – As the most common type of alimony, rehabilitative alimony is generally awarded for a set period of time, during which the lower earning spouse figures out how to financially provide for themselves. Rehabilitation may include job education, vocational training, or going back to school to get a new degree or enhance an old one. Unlike alimony pendente lite, which lasts for just a number months on average, rehabilitative alimony typically lasts for years.
- Indefinite Alimony – There are two scenarios in which indefinite alimony may be awarded. The first is if the lower earning spouse has no chance at being able to support themselves financially due to age, disability, or an illness. The second is if there is an unconscionably disparate difference between your and your spouse’s living standards. For example, if one spouse earned millions of dollars every year and lived elaborately, a standard to which the other grew accustomed throughout the marriage, the lower earning spouse may be awarded indefinite alimony.
Putting Our Clients First During and After Divorce
Alimony is rarely an uncontested issue during divorce. Nearly 80 percent of divorces involve an alimony request modification, according to Time. Either spouse can request to end or alter alimony after the divorce, especially if circumstances drastically change for either.
How is Spousal Support Determined?
Spousal support is based on the following criteria, and more:
- Duration of the marriage;
- Financial contributions to the marriage of each spouse;
- Non financial contributions of each spouse;
- Time necessary for the lower earning spouse to complete re-education or training;
- Age and health of each spouse; and
- Ability of lower earning spouse to become self-sufficient.
Contact Our Bel Air Alimony Lawyers Today
Our attorneys help our clients by winning maximum alimony awards, as well as by assisting our clients on the other side by keeping the payments that they are responsible for as low as possible. And, whether you are the paying or receiving spouse of alimony, we will help you either uphold or modify the original court decision based on the outcome. Do not hesitate to contact the law offices of Schlaich & Thompson Chartered today for help.
