If you find yourself considering divorce, make sure that you know about alimony, as being uninformed can be a costly mistake for all parties involved. Simply put, alimony is the ongoing cost one spouse must give the other as a result of the dissolution of their marriage. It can be decided by the courts during the divorce process or it can be mutually agreed upon during divorce mediation. Depending on the lifestyle either part was accustomed to, the length of time for these payments can be finite or life-long. Traditionally they were award to the wife who usually was not the ongoing breadwinner of the relationship but nowadays that is changing.

Historically, men were the main support for their families and woman traditionally maintained the household. As you all know, that has changed in the last 40 years. With woman becoming more and more equal in income and stature in the workforce and the world to men, the word alimony has also changed. It is now referred to as, "Maintenance," and is now considered for either of the parties involved in the divorce. The overall monetary needs of the spouses are reviewed to see who has the greatest need for a, "Divorce Maintenance Accommodation (aka, "Maintenance")

There are different types of alimonies or maintenances and it is crucial to know about all of them so you can decide what is indeed best for you and your spouse. Unlike in years past, a mandatory, permanent maintenance is only awarded or considered if one of the spouses is unable to gain employment after the marriage separation. The more common type of maintenance is, "Temporary alimony." This type of maintenance is granted on the basis that the receiving spouse simply needs help in maintaining a certain quality of life throughout the divorce process. It has a targeted end date and does not continue on and on. One example would be a marriage separation where one spouse moves out of the house immediately without making provisions for paying household expenses like a mortgage or property maintenance. When this happens, a court-authorized award (Temporary alimony) is given to the spouse who remains in the household, during the course of a marriage separation to allow him/her to recover and get their finances back in order.

Another type of alimony or maintenance that mediators or judges consider is, "Rehabilitative alimony. This is usually a maintenance sum with a range from a few months to a few years and is designed to help the spouse learn a new profession or learn a trade so they can gainful employment and become financially independent.

Finding the right lawyer or divorce mediator when dealing with decisions having to do with alimony or maintenance is important and when you find one specializing in this in your locality you can receive some powerful advice based on their prior knowledge and experiences. Following this advice is critical if you want your divorce or mediation procedures to culminate in a beneficial and fair settlement for you and your spouse.

Many people choose to use these types of services as ammunition against their spouse and although this may seem profitable, in the long run you may hurt yourself and your spouse. Therefore, it is best to make sure you find someone who is experienced, has valid references, and is someone you like and trust.

Some of the affiliations you should look into are those mediators that are accredited by national organizations, have experience in not just the mediation process but also the financial processes. A certified financial divorce mediator is the position of someone well versed in the finances of divorce.

In closing, always remember that no two divorces are alike. Always make sure you discuss your needs with a couple of divorce mediators and attorneys so you can find the best one for your situation. Every step you take during this critical time may or may not have implications in the outcome so be sure to protect your rights and talk to a professional.

Richard Barthallo knows that divorce is not the best answer for relationship problems. alimony and maintenance costs can be financially devastating. Divorce mediation is a way to reduce costs when a relationship ends. Natalie Nelson is a trustworthy boulder divorce mediator

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One of the first questions to come up in a discussion with a divorce attorney usually concerns alimony, what it is, how it’s calculated, and if a spouse is entitled to receive it. The answers will vary in each individual case. State laws also differ so there is no standard answer to these questions. A consultation with divorce lawyers, Chicago, New York, or any other state, will help answer these questions, specific for your particular case.

The divorce attorney will work with the opposing council and the courts to determine under what circumstances alimony should be paid or collected. The only constant in the entire process is the definition of alimony and that is the transfer of money from the party that earns a higher amount to the party with no or lower income in an effort to limit the effects of a divorce or separation.

Is alimony For Women Only?

Many people assume alimony is money paid to a woman from the man upon the completion of a divorce and never the other way around. That used to be the case as historically men were the main breadwinners in our society. However, this has changed in today’s world as women are more independent and it’s not uncommon to have a woman earn a higher salary than her husband does. This change has led to greater numbers of men receiving spousal support as well as the granting of full custody of their children.

How Much Spousal Support Will I Receive?

Since laws vary from state to state, there is no standard answer. This is always a gray area for divorce lawyers with the exact amount being calculated by the courts. A good guide, however, is available by looking at ‘The Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act’.

Your divorce attorney and the courts will examine and consider the ages of the individuals as well as the emotional, physical, and financial state of each party. How long you were married and the standard of living you have become accustomed to is also considered in calculating alimony. Another important consideration the courts look at is the ability to pay. They want to be fair and equitable, the goal is not to break or place an unreasonable burden on one partner.

Will The Payments Last For My Lifetime?

This is another good question often received by divorce lawyers and unfortunately again there is no standard answer. Just as the courts determine the alimony amount, the length of time the payments are to be received is also set by the courts. Part of the decision is made from information that is presented to the courts by your divorce attorney. Although there is no set pattern, the goal is for the payments to be received for a long enough time that the lower income party can ultimately live independently on their own.

This may be set for a particular number of months or years or until the lower income party remarries. Death doesn’t automatically release a party from the court ordered obligations. Payments may be required or received to a party’s estate for a number of reasons.

When you need a divorce attorney, Chicago clients and others across the country should be aware of what alimony is and the considerations that will determine the amount of spousal support. Although there is not a set standard, divorce lawyers will work for you in the best effort to get you what you are entitled to receive.

Christine O’Kelly is an author for the fierce divorce attorney, Chicago area’s Vojta Law. With more than 26 years experiences as divorce lawyers, Chicago clients receive quality one-on-one legal advice in all aspects of their separation or divorce case.

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