If you are facing a divorce, you likely have many concerns about your future, but one of the main ones likely pertains to your financial stability after the process is complete. Money is often one of the most contentious issues in a divorce, and it is normal to have fears over what the end of your marriage will do to your ability to support yourself.
In some Washington divorces, one spouse may be eligible for alimony, or spousal support. It is not a guarantee, but if you believe that you could have a rightful claim to this type of support, you would be wise to work purposefully toward a settlement that includes it.
Who gets the money?
In many marriages, one spouse stays home or works fewer hours in order to be home more to raise the children. Perhaps you sacrificed your career for this reason, and now, you may believe you will emerge from your divorce with no spouse to support you and no job, or a job that does not pay enough.
In this situation, it is appropriate to seek spousal support. When a court is considering whether to award alimony to a lesser earning spouse, it will consider the following factors:
- The length of the marriage
- The income of both spouses
- The earning potential of the lesser earning spouse
- How long it will take the lesser earning spouse to get on his or her feet
- The ages of both parties
- The physical and emotional state of both parties
The purpose of alimony is to give you time to recover from your divorce and limit the unfair financial impact that it may have on your life. The amount that you could receive depends on the factors unique to your case, as does the duration of the alimony payments. Sometimes, spousal support is for rehabilitative purposes and will only last a certain amount of time, while other cases merit permanent alimony.
Money and stability in your post-divorce future
Divorce is uncertain, yet with help, you can pursue an outcome that allows you to have both security and stability after the process is finalized. Spousal support can be a complex issue, but you have the right to seek legal support as you pursue a beneficial settlement.
If you are worried about your financial future or you have concerns you may not get the support you need, you have no time to lose in getting the guidance that will help you effectively deal with pertinent divorce issues.