Spousal support refers to the financial aid that a spouse gets after or during a divorce. It can be temporary, i.e., until the divorce is over, or a permanent aid that will last for a lifetime. Also called alimony, you are considered eligible for spousal support if you don’t have a source of income and your partner earns enough to pay for your financial needs. To know your alimony eligibility, contact a spousal support lawyer in Brampton.
They will assess your divorce case to determine whether you can demand financial support from your spouse after the divorce and for how long. Note that the rules for alimony vary from state to state. However, one thing is certain—you must be legally married to apply for alimony. The alimony lawyer in Brampton will share more details about the state’s laws regarding divorce decrees and spouses’ eligibility for this financial aid. Usually, the court determines the amount of spousal support based on a few factors, such as:
- Duration of your marriage
- Your earning potential
- Your health
- Your contribution to the family
Depending on your financial condition and health, the court might accept your application for permanent alimony paid in instalments or as a fixed amount every month or a lump sum.
Rehabilitative Alimony
A spouse might qualify for rehabilitative alimony, which offers you temporary financial support so you can pursue education and become financially independent. This will cover your tuition fee, job application fees, or all the expenses you have incurred until you become self-sufficient. This is mostly available for parents who stay at home to look after their kids.
Usually, a fixed duration for this alimony is specified in the decree, but the court can make changes at any point. The spousal support is reviewed once the agreement comes to an end, and the court might revise its order, extending the duration of the alimony. That happens when the recipient spouse is physically unfit to pursue a career, or they are in any form of financial trouble.
Permanent and Lump-Sum Alimony
The spousal support lawyer in Brampton will share the details about different kinds of alimony and their duration. The most common options are permanent alimony, which is paid throughout the life of the payor and payee. It ends when either of them dies, or the recipient remarries. The amount can be adjusted if the recipient finds a better-paying job or if their financial condition is good. The conditions might also change if the paying spouse incurs a major financial loss or experiences any event that results in the loss of their only source of income.
Retirement might also affect the alimony amount. Alternatively, the recipient might demand a lump-sum payment, which is the total of the future monthly instalments. Temporary alimony is another type of spousal support that’s acceptable in the event of separation and a pending divorce. For more details about your options after separation, contact Sterling Law, the most-trusted alimony law firm in Brampton.
