When it comes to divorce, there are a handful of concerns to worry about.  One of the most pressing topics deals with alimony.  It is a legal term used to describe spousal support in terms of financial support from one spouse to another.  The discussion of alimony can be a sticky one.  The person receiving alimony doesn’t want to be short-ended while the person giving alimony doesn’t want to be taken advantage of.

Different Types of Alimony:

1. Temporary:

It support given to couples who are already separated before the divorce.

2. Permanent:

It given to the partner earning less until the other spouse passes or if the recipient enters another marriage.

3. Reimbursement:

Alimony given to a spouse due to expenses during the marriage such as student loans or business loans.

4. Rehabilitative:

Monetary support for the partner earning less until he/she is able to support him/herself.

What Factors Affect Alimony?

Alimony laws differ from state to state.  Some states have very strict guidelines.  For example, in states such as Tennessee and Texas, it is given to divorced spouses who have been legally married for at least 10 years.

Some states have legal boundaries of how much the alimony should be, the duration of how long it should be given and other guidelines.

1. Length of Marriage:

Most of the time, alimony lasts longer the longer the couples are married.  Marriages over 10 years calls ground for permanent alimony.

2. Separation Time During Marriage:

States in the US view separation as either an event that leads to divorce or an event that is part of divorce.  This becomes an important issue for states requiring a 10 year marriage to qualify for alimony.  If a state recognizes separation as part of the marriage, then the years of separation qualify as “years of marriage”.

3. Age during Divorce:

Younger couples are often given shorter alimony periods.  This is because the law views that younger partners are able to get back on their feet more smoothly than older couples.

4. Income for Both Partners:

US law calls for spouses to carry on with the same quality of life and to maintain the same lifestyle even after divorce.  This is taken into consideration with alimony.  The court will factor in each party’s income and come up with the best medium ground.

5. Health of Each Spouse:

Alimony factors in if a spouse has certain health problems or health needs.  It may be extended or the sum of alimony may be larger if the other partner is not able to support them.

Author Bio:

Emily Li writes for Kitchens New and Cleghorn, a family law firm with some of the best Atlanta divorce attorneys with in depth knowledge on alimony in Georgia.  In her free time she enjoys reading up research pertaining to marriage, relationships and divorce.