Decisions regarding spousal support depend on many factors

by | Jan 17, 2019 | family law, Firm News

Ending a marriage can be a financially risky process, particularly for an Ohio resident who has depended on a spouse’s income. In a divorce, a person may lose access to the financial support they enjoyed when they were married, may lose property that they shared jointly with their ex-spouse and may incur new costs as they are forced to find a new place to live. For a person who does not work, getting a divorce can be downright scary from a financial perspective.

However, the courts recognize that not all contributions to marriages are financial, and that it is not uncommon for some individuals to give up their careers and opportunities to earn money in order to support their loved ones. It is often the case that a person may choose to stay home and raise their children while a spouse works for an income so that as a family they have balance.

In situations such as this, a court may order a working party to pay the non-working ex-spouse alimony. Also called spousal support, alimony may be ordered after a court examines the incomes and earning capacities of the parties, as well as their standards of living, levels of education and whether the parties will require any training to re-enter the workforce.

Alimony decisions can also take into account the length of the parties’ marriages, as well as tax consequences, individual liabilities and many other factors. As such, individual decisions regarding alimony will be made based on the unique factors of the parties seeking to divorce. Getting the right information about family law options can help Ohio residents understand whether they may prevail on their efforts to secure spousal support from their ex-partners.

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