Alimony is a critical factor in any divorce case. Also referred to as “spousal support”, alimony allows one party to maintain his or her financial wellbeing during and after a divorce.
Alimony is granted according to the needs of one spouse along with the ability of the other party to provide financial support.
There are many factors that are considered when determining spousal support including the contribution that each party has made to the marriage.
Understanding how this affects your divorce case allows you to protect your long-term financial interests.
Alimony in Georgia Divorce
Alimony’s primary purpose is to reduce the financial impacts that a divorce may have on either party. It can be a source of income for spouses who’ve earned significantly less than their partners or who are unemployed.
It’s common for one spouse to choose not to work in order to provide family support at home while the other spouse works.
Non-working spouses may require new skills to enhance their employability. Alimony provides the resources that allow them to re-enter the workforce without disrupting the standard of living established during the marriage.
The factors used by Georgia family law courts to determine alimony include the length of the marriage, the employability of each spouse, the need to receive and the ability to pay alimony, and the age and health of each spouse.
How the Contribution of Each Party Influences Alimony Agreements
In any marriage, both spouses make specific contributions that benefit both parties. These include non-monetary contributions such as child care, homemaking, and the choice to remain unemployed.
Contributions that support the career of one or both spouses and the education of children are considered when family law courts determine how much alimony will be granted.
In addition to cases where one party didn’t work during the marriage, spouses may have also limited their earning potential by turning down opportunities for promotions and other career advancements to benefit the marriage.
Considering both monetary and non-monetary contributions allows the courts to determine alimony agreements that consider the financial needs of both parties.
Alimony may be agreed upon in out-of-court settlements. In other cases, a trial may be required to determine how much spousal support will be granted.
Consulting with an experienced family law attorney allows you to identify the best options for your needs.
Getting a Fair Alimony Agreement
Whether you’re entitled to receive alimony or obligated to provide support to your spouse, obtaining the right alimony agreement ensures that your financial wellbeing is protected for the future.
Alimony may be permanent or temporary. Rehabilitative alimony is granted on a short-term basis, and it allows the receiving spouse to obtain the resources needed to become self-sufficient after a divorce.
Divorce degrees typically specify the length of time that alimony will be provided. In some cases, spousal support ends once the receiving spouse remarries.
Also, the death of the paying spouse doesn’t mean that alimony will no longer be provided. The individual’s estate may be required to continue providing alimony in cases where the recipient can no longer earn income due to their age or health.
Spouses make monetary and non-monetary contributions to a marriage. These contributions help them meet their career, home, and child-rearing needs.
The contribution of each party to the marriage is one of many factors used by Georgia family law courts to determine how much alimony will be provided to the receiving spouse.
Understanding these and other aspects related to alimony ensures that you and your family law attorney obtain a fair agreement that supports the wellbeing of your entire family.