When can you get alimony?
The usual question goes like this: "I cannot afford to live on my own. Is there a way to get spousal support (alimony)?"
This is a tough question. (I seem to be saying that a lot lately.)
There are no hard and fast laws about when a judge should order alimony, and there is more than one type of alimony (four, in fact). Sometime, I'll write a really long and boring explanation of the four types. But for now, let me just cover the usual ways you can get alimony.
Of the four types , the most common type of alimony is "permanent." Guess how long it lasts? That's right, permanently! Or at least until death or remarriage of the wife. Permanent alimony is usually granted to allow a spouse to maintain the standard of living he or she was accustomed to during the marriage. In other words, just because one spouse is a gazillionaire doesn't mean the other spouse has to live broke for the rest of his or her life.
The catch to this type of alimony is that, to qualify, the marriage must be "long term." What's "long term"? Good question. I think I'll put that in the next post.
4 Comments:
We are divorce.but we got back together.We stayed together for four years.I never recive alimoney can I recive it now.
I assume you mean you did not remarry, but just began living together. In that case, you could not receive alimony now. Alimony is only awarded as part of a divorce.
I have been married for 34 years, and he is now living with his girlfriend, in a home that he help buy. we have been divorce for one year, I have just found out that my monthly support check did not clear the bank. I have just been lay off in March of 06, he would say many years ago, that if he had to pay me support he would quit his job. And he did, he quit his job one month befor I got layed off. What do I do now ? Iam still trying to find someone to help me I did not have a larry, and it's very hard right now
Child support and alimony continue to add up, even if he loses his job. Normally, someone can't be held in contempt for nonpayment of support if that person loses his or her job. Quitting to get out of paying is an exception, though, and a person can be held in contempt if he or she quits a job to get out of payment.
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