Determining Alimony in Georgia

When a couple goes through a divorce, they are required to determine the arrangements of several legal matters before the marriage is officially dissolved. An important part of a divorce is determining alimony. This is court-ordered financial support from one spouse to another to support a dependent party. These payments are made regularly once the relationship is over for a determined period of time. Sometimes, there are situations in a marriage that leave one spouse in an unfair financial standing after a divorce. This may be if one spouse is the caretaker and one is the family provider. This may leave one spouse without their own salary to start fresh. Alimony payments allow a dependent party the opportunity to rebuild their life without financial trouble after a divorce.

Types of Alimony

During divorce proceedings, a dependent spouse may be entitled to receive alimony. In the state of Georiga, there are two different types of alimony available to a spouse depending on their situation:

• Permanent Alimony: This alimony is determined with no end date in sight. This type is usually rare and saved for cases in which a spouse has little to no prospects of becoming financially independent. Although it is called “permanent,” there are reasons why the alimony may change. This may include remarriage, earning a sufficient income, or the dependent party becoming financially sound.
• Temporary Alimony: This type of alimony is more likely to be installed to help a dependent party until they can become financially independent. This is ordered for a specific period of time and amount. This is typically done if the dependent party is pursuing an education, job training, or seeking other means of stability.

Determining Alimony

Going through a divorce can often be complicated and marriages do not always end with spouses on good terms. This can cause the topic of alimony to become difficult if one spouse does not want to support the other. It is because of this that the court determines whether or not a party is required to pay alimony and the amount they are required to pay. When the court makes this decision, they consider several factors. This may include:

• The length of the marriage
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The health of each spouse
• The age of each spouse
• The needs of the dependent party to become financially sound
• Each spouse’s contribution to the marriage
• Other relevant factors

Alimony may be terminated under a few circumstances. This may be if a former spouse becomes financially stable or if the dependent party cohabitates with another individual or remarries.

Contact our Firm

If you are going through a divorce and wish to know your options regarding alimony, contact The Alfred Law Firm, LLC. today.

Alfred Law Firm, LLC is proud to serve clients in Georgia when they face legal matters related to family law and criminal defense. When legal issues arise, it is important to have the guidance of an experienced attorney that can help you obtain a favorable outcome. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.