Factors That Affect Your Alimony Payments
Even when two people agree that divorce is the best course of action, it doesn’t make it any easier. This is especially true when you factor in contentious topics such as child custody and alimony. Alimony is designed to help both spouses maintain a certain standard of living as they go through the divorce. It can be either temporary or permanent. However, the decision to grant alimony to one spouse is dependent on several factors.
Standard of Living
The most common factor taken into consideration is each spouse’s standard of living. In other words, how much of an impact will the divorce have on the couple’s lifestyle? The courts will evaluate the couple’s vacationing habits, home, vehicles, and financial assets to determine whether or not alimony will be awarded.
Financial Resources
The courts will look at each party’s financial situation, including what financial resources are available to them to determine whether or not alimony should be granted. For example, does one spouse have premarital holdings that could sustain them after the divorce?
Mental and Physical Condition of Both Parties
The courts will also take into account whether or not a spouse is disabled or suffering from other medical ailments. In these cases, alimony is usually awarded to maintain the standard level of care they had before the divorce.
How Long The Marriage Lasted
Generally speaking, the longer a couple has been married, the more money they will receive through alimony. However, there are some caveats to this. While there is no set standard for how long you have to be married in order to receive alimony, NJ courts will not allow alimony to last longer than the length of the marriage if the couple was married 20 years or less. However, there are exceptions with this if one spouse has medical conditions or is the primary caregiver to children.
When it comes to alimony, it’s always best to consult an experienced family law attorney who will be able to help.
Contact A Cherry Hill Family Law Attorney For A Consultation About Alimony In New Jersey Today
If you are thinking about filing for divorce, or if you have already started the divorce process and are dealing with another matter such as child custody, child support, or division of assets, you need to speak with a qualified attorney. The New Jersey family law attorneys at Cordry Hartman, LLC represent clients throughout the state, including Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Marlton, and Voorhees. We understand how challenging this time can be for you, which is why we will fight hard to protect your interests, and the interests of your loved ones, throughout the legal process. Call us at 856-452-4474 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. We have an office conveniently located at 505 S Lenola Rd Ste 224 Moorestown, NJ 08057.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.