Although you may not want to pay spousal support to your spouse upon divorce, it’s important to recognize the purpose of it. Spousal support, also known as alimony, is awarded to help limit unfair economic effects of a divorce. For instance, if you have been the sole provider and your partner was a stay-at-home parent, then alimony may be paid to help your partner while finding a job or going back to school to start a new career. Alimony may also be awarded to help your spouse continue to live at the same standard that you do now.
Alimony is determined based on a number of factors including the length of time needed to gain the education necessary to become self-sufficient, the length of the marriage, your standard of living during the marriage and the ability of the payer to afford the support the other spouse requires while still supporting him or herself.
Alimony is generally rehabilitative, which means it’s not permanent in most cases. It may be ordered for a few months or years, depending on the amount of compensation the spouse needs. Payments must continue until the court orders them to stop unless there is an alimony termination date in your divorce decree.
Spousal support is important to spouses who have given up their time or careers in support of their families. Your attorney can talk to you more about your situation and if spousal support or alimony may be a part of your divorce. You can negotiate for or against the support depending on the specifics of your case.
Source: FindLaw, “Spousal Support (Alimony) Basics,” accessed Oct. 11, 2017