Getting divorced is one of the biggest financial adjustments for any family, and it is often the case that one spouse is going to have to pay the other spouse some amount of money, called alimony.
To determine whether you are going to get any alimony, and if so, what type and how much, the Court will want you and your attorney to be able to answer the following questions:
- How much money do you make vs. how much money your spouse makes?
- What financial needs do each of you have?
- How far did each of you go in school?
- What training could either of you get to improve your earning capacity?
- How long were you two married?
- How old are you?
- Do you have the mental ability to manage in a workplace?
- Do you have the physical ability to work?
- Do either of you need to stay home for some reason?
- Do either of you have separate assets that can be used to support you?
- What property and/or debt is each of you taking from the marriage?
- What standard of living did you two enjoy during the marriage?
- Who contributed to getting and maintaining that standard of living?
- Who broke up the marriage? (sometimes – we’ll write another blog on this point)
- What tax consequences will an alimony award have against a party?
- Does this alimony award feel fair (to the Judge)?
Your lawyer’s job is to answer these questions in a way that favors you. At Held Law Firm, we have found that by engaging in a systematic analysis of both your and your spouse’s spending habits, we can do the best job advising you, and advocating for you in court.
To schedule a case assessment with Margaret Held or another Held Law Firm attorney, please call (865) 685-4780.
