During your marriage, you have worked hard and earned a considerable income. You have also been able to make investments, which have grown more and more valuable through the years.
Now, you and your spouse are getting divorced. Because of your high income, you both decided that they would stay at home and take care of the home and children.
What is alimony?
These monthly payments are a continuing income to your spouse. They lessen any uneven economic effects of your divorce, allowing them to provide for themselves and your children.
Alimony payments also allow your former spouse to maintain the standard of living they enjoyed during your marriage. If your children still live with your former spouse, they also need that standard of living so they feel the impact of the divorce less.
Your spouse did not have to work during your marriage
While you went into the office during the week, your spouse was at home, taking care of the children, arranging dinner parties for clients and maintaining your home.
Because they have not worked during your marriage, their job skills and education might be out-of-date. This means they are less likely to find a job to support themselves and your children.
What factors affect how much alimony you might pay?
Alimony may be limited to a certain time frame. The court could consider several factors that affect the alimony you pay to your former spouse. Your ages, financial conditions, physical conditions and emotional states are a part of the decision. The judge looks at how long your former spouse could need for education or job training. They also look at your standard of living while you were married, as well as how long you were married. Finally, the judge looks at your ability to support your former spouse and yourself.