How to fight for alimony in an Ohio divorce

by | Apr 24, 2019 | Firm News

If you are getting a divorce, you may hope to receive alimony, also known as spousal support in Ohio. Receiving support payments during and after your divorce is not a guarantee. If you do receive alimony, it may be on a temporary or permanent basis. 

So, how do you make sure you get the financial support you need from your ex? There is no way to guarantee there will be a court order for alimony, but here are some core factors that determine the decision.

Insufficient income

One of the best ways to convince the judge you deserve alimony is simply by providing proof of income. If you earn significantly less than your spouse, the judge will take this into consideration. 

The effort and costs of obtaining employment

If you are jobless and have been out of the workforce for a long time, it may not be feasible for you to be financially independent. You must make sure the judge takes into account any training, education or job experience you may need to be self-sustaining. 

Taking care of the children

Has your spouse been responsible for income while you stay at home and raise the kids? If your situation is like that or similar, you can argue that it is not appropriate to expect you to seek employment while you are also expected to be a full-time, primary caretaker for your minor children.

Standard of living and duration of the marriage

Alimony may be different for a couple married for five years than one married for 30 years. It is also affected by what standard of living you enjoyed during the course of your relationship. If your spouse provided you with a certain level of comfort, convenience and luxury, you should fight to maintain the same standard. 

You should also be careful about the inclusion and wording of any provision allowing modification of spousal support.

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