When it comes to contentious aspects of divorce proceedings, spousal support is often at the top of the list. Also known as spousal maintenance or alimony, these payments are made from one former spouse to another after the divorce concludes. A seasoned family law attorney could advise you on how a spousal support decision might impact your divorce.
If you are facing the prospect of divorce, it is important to consider the implications of a spousal support order. You have the right to be heard before the judge makes a final determination on the issue. A Riley County spousal support lawyer could help you protect your rights.
There are many types of spousal support that apply to different situations. A knowledgeable Riley County attorney could help a person facing divorce understand how each of these types of spousal support might impact their case.
Not all spousal support is intended for after a divorce order is entered. The courts also have the right to award temporary spousal support, which is intended to provide for a spouse while the divorce case unfolds. Temporary spousal support is only available until the divorce is finalized.
Short-term spousal support is designed to help a spouse get to a place where they can provide for themselves financially. As the name suggests, this support is only intended to last long enough to prepare that person for living on their own. This type of support could allow a person to complete their education or secure licensing in their chosen line of work.
The least common type of spousal support is known as long-term support. This type of support is limited to those spouses who are unable to meet their own needs following divorce. This could be due to disability, age, or some other physical reason that prevents them from earning a living.
One of the ways that spousal support orders in Riley County can differ from other parts of the country is the amount of time support might be available. The law sets a hard limit on the amount of time a spouse could be required to make support payments. A well-practiced lawyer in Riley County could advise how these time limits might impact an alimony order.
Kansas state law establishes something commonly referred to as the “121-month” rule. This rule places a cap on the length of a spousal support order at 121 months. In other words, a judge is generally limited to awarding spousal support for a period not to exceed that time limit.
It is worth noting that exceptions do apply to this limit. However, for this deadline to be extended, the original support order must include language allowing the judge to review the decision at a later point. If the language is included and a judge determines that the spouses’ financial circumstances require an extension, the court has the power to grant it.
It is important to understand how spousal support works both during and after a divorce case. The financial implications of an alimony order could be significant.
You are not on your own when it comes to dealing with financial struggles following the end of your marriage. Reach out to discuss your case with a Riley County spousal support lawyer today.
