Everything You Must Know About Spousal Support
Posted on: 5 November 2020
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When you are getting a divorce, you might be worried about whether you will need to pay spousal support and how much the spousal support will cost. However much it costs will depend on various factors such as how long the marriage lasted and how much money each partner makes. By knowing what to expect, you'll be able to work with a divorce lawyer to figure out what will represent your best interests.
The Length of the Spousal Support Payments
To determine what spousal support will be, the courts will hear from both partners to determine how much your partner should be entitled to. The spousal support is not meant to last forever and the courts will set a date at which the spousal support will expire. The length is usually based on how long you have been married if you have been married for less than 10 years. For example, if you were married for four years, you may pay spousal support for two years if the courts typically require that spousal support be paid for half the amount of time you were married.
In some cases, you might be required to pay spousal support until you pass away or remarry. In other cases, you may continue to be forced to pay spousal support even after your partner has remarried. Generally, the idea is that the spouse who earns more money will assist the spouse who earns less money in maintaining a standard of living. However, if you both earned roughly the same income, you may not be able to do this.
Changes in Your Financial Situation
You may no longer be required to pay spousal support if there is a change in your financial situation. You may find that you are earning less than your spouse either because they received a raise or you lost your job. If this occurs, you may no longer be required to pay spousal support. However, you'll want to speak with an attorney as soon as possible about how to go about having your spousal support obligations changed.
If you do not take these actions, your ex-partner might file a motion to have the courts order you to pay for spousal support. You may have your wages garnished or may have your bank accounts levied. You may also be forced to pay fines or may even go to jail. For this reason, you must take spousal support payments seriously.
For more information, reach out to a company like Price Law Firm, P.A.