Alimony, also known as spousal support, is one of the many divorce matters that must be decided in a New Jersey divorce. But an order for one party to pay the other spousal support is not applicable in every situation. The court will consider many factors to determine if spousal support is appropriate for the situation. The amount paid, and the time for which the payee is ordered to pay alimony will differ in each situation.
How alimony works
One of the most important things to understand is that spousal support is a completely different matter than child support. Child support is supposed to help the other parent take care of the needs of the children while alimony pays to support a former spouse who was previously financially dependent during the marriage. Alimony may be ordered for a short period of time to allow the newly divorced party to find a job. In long-term marriages, alimony may be ordered for longer periods of time if the court believes it would be difficult for the individual to become financially independent.
The court has much discretion when it comes to deciding whether either party will receive alimony. The incomes of both parties, as well as the future earning potential, will be considered when determining if alimony is appropriate. Either party may request alimony and both sides should be prepared to show evidence as to their financial situation.
Help is available when deciding important divorce matters
No one should feel alone when going through a divorce. The entire process can be emotionally draining, and most people go through significant financial changes after a divorce. Anyone in New Jersey who is planning on dissolving their marriage can speak with a family law attorney to understand more about the process.