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What You Need to Know About Alimony

What You Need to Know About Alimony

What You Need to Know About Alimony

Are you about to go through a divorce but uncertain about all of the legalities?  Words like custody, alimony, child support, and division of assets may be filling your Google search just so you can gain better understanding of what's about to come.  As a family law practice in Orlando, we at Frank Family Law can help you through all these confusing and difficult terms.  Our lawyers are here to guide you through the process by familiarizing yourself with terms you've never heard of before today.  When you are preparing for divorce, you'll want to familiarize yourself with alimony.  Here are a few things you need to know about alimony before you file for divorce.

Alimony is Different than Child Support

Many people assume that alimony is similar to child support, but it isn't.  Alimony is spousal support that is often determined by a variety of factors, such as length of the marriage, income of each member, age, health, and division of property.  Child support, on the other hand, is determined based off the needs of your children, such as their food, shelter, and costs of other basic necessities.  

Alimony Laws Differ By State

Before you file for divorce, you'll want to familiarize yourself with your state's alimony rules.  Each state has different alimony requirements and payment enforcement methods.  By being aware of these before you go through a divorce, you avoid any surprises.  For example, California will not consider fault when calculating alimony.  This means that you won't pay more for alimony when you make a mistake that ends your marriage.  In some states, however, your actions could result in a higher payment.  Other states, like Georgia and North Carolina, limit the amount of alimony someone can receive if they are at fault for the end of the relationship.

Alimony is Typically Not Permanent

Alimony is typically given as a temporary solution to help financially dependent spouses make the transition into independence.  Once they learn that they are getting a divorce, they should then seek ways to become financially independent of their ex.  Courts issue alimony as a temporary solution to help those individuals transition without worrying about being broke right from the start.  The length of your alimony payments are decided on as part of your divorce agreement.  Trust the best family law practice to help you decide the fair amount of time and money that should go into your alimony payments.

These are a few necessary things to know about alimony before you prepare yourself for divorce.  As a family law practice in Orlando, we work with you to make sure you are familiar and comfortable with all the terms and agreements you are about to consider.  Contact our expert law term today to schedule a consultation.