One aspect of divorce that’s a topic of concern is spousal support, also known as alimony. While there is no guarantee that either spouse will receive it, spousal support is often paid to the spouse with a lower income.
Several questions surround spousal support, including how it is calculated and how long it is paid.
The purpose of spousal support
Reports show that after divorce, a man’s income falls 23% on average while a woman’s income falls 41%. Spousal support is designed to help the lower-earning (or non-earning) spouse maintain a standard of living similar to what they had while married. However, spousal support isn’t guaranteed.
When determining whether spousal support will be awarded the judge considers several factors, including:
- Length of marriage, as longer marriages are more likely to result in spousal support.
- Each spouse’s income, assets, potential future earnings and financial needs.
- The ability of each spouse to earn a living.
- Age and health of each spouse.
- If either spouse was at fault because, even though Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, marital misconduct may influence the judge’s decision.
- Contributions to the marriage, particularly if one spouse was the primary caregiver for the children and maintained the household.
Those same factors help to determine the duration of spousal support. The judge is more likely to award permanent support in long-term marriages where it may be more difficult for one spouse to find employment due to their age and health.
In cases where both parties are still of working age and in good health, the judge may order temporary spousal support for a set period so that the receiving spouse can have time to earn an education or gain the skills for employment.
It’s an unfortunate situation if you feel you need to stay in an unsatisfactory marriage for financial stability. It’s vital that you work with an individual who is passionate about helping you get the spousal support you need and deserve as you begin the next chapter of your life.