How It Works and How to Get It

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a payment made from one spouse to the other after a divorce. It is intended to help the receiving spouse maintain the standard of living after the marriage has ended. How alimony is decided can be complicated, and there are several factors that are taken into account. Child custody lawyers in Grand Rapids MI will discuss how alimony works, who can receive it, and how to get it.

The first thing to understand is that alimony is not automatic. Just because you are getting a divorce, does not mean that you will automatically start receiving payments from your ex-spouse. Alimony is only ordered by the court if one spouse requests it and can prove that they need it.

There are two types of alimony: temporary and permanent. Temporary alimony is typically paid during the divorce proceedings, while permanent alimony is paid after the divorce has been finalized. The type of alimony that you receive will depend on your individual circumstances.

In order to receive alimony, you must first file a petition with the court. This petition must state why you believe you are entitled to support and how much support you need. Once this petition is filed, your spouse will have the opportunity to respond.

If you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement on alimony, the court will hold a hearing. At this hearing, both sides will present their case and the court will make a decision. The court will consider several factors when making its decision, including:

-The length of the marriage

-The financial needs of each spouse

-The earning capacity of each spouse

-The age and health of each spouse

-The contributions of each spouse to the marriage (including homemaking and childrearing)

-The standard of living during the marriage

-The ability of each spouse to pay alimony