If you are thinking about requesting alimony, you may want to consult a divorce lawyer residents trust, such as from Law Office of Daniel E. Stuart, P.A. Alimony is intended to help the recipient a certain standard of living following a divorce. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the process and answer all of your questions.
Common Misconceptions About Alimony
Although alimony has been around for many years, there are still many misunderstandings about it. Here are some common misconceptions about alimony that you should not believe.
- Alimony is out-of-date. It is commonly believed that alimony is an out-dated concept because both spouses often work these days. Although it is true that there is an increase of two-income families, there is still a need for alimony. For example, one spouse may quit their job to raise their children. In this scenario, that spouse may be entitled to alimony.
- Asking for alimony is selfish. Some people feel guilty about asking for alimony after a divorce. They may think it is selfish to ask their ex to pay them money once they are no longer married. However, it is not a selfish act at all. If your spouse was the breadwinner and you took care of the household, you have every right to look out for yourself.
- Alimony is forever. Alimony was never designed to be a permanent arrangement. As a lawyer can confirm, a judge may use several factors when determining the length of alimony, like the length of the marriage and contributions to the marriage.
- Just women receive alimony. While this may have been true in the past, it is not the case today. These days, many more women are in the workforce. Therefore, gender isn’t a consideration in alimony cases. A judge may consider multiple factors when determining which spouse to award alimony to, such as financial resources and whether each spouse stayed home with the kids.
- The court has to decide alimony. To receive alimony, you don’t always have to go to court. It’s actually less expensive and stressful to come to an arrangement with your ex. If you can agree on alimony in mediation, you won’t have to go in front of a judge.
- If your spouse behaved badly in the marriage, you may receive more alimony. Although it’s disheartening that your spouse may have treated you poorly during the marriage, it does not mean that you will receive additional alimony because of it. Alimony cases are no-fault, so they can’t be used as punishment. How much is awarded depends on income and assets.
- Alimony arrangements are final. This isn’t true either because circumstances can change over time. The judge can make changes accordingly. For example, if the receiving party gets a job, the judge may decide to lower or completely stop alimony payments.
If you have additional questions about alimony, you should schedule an appointment with a divorce lawyer as soon as possible.