Northeast Phoenix Spousal Maintenance Attorney
At the Belt Law Firm, we are experienced family law attorneys who practice in the area of spousal maintenance and divorce. We have assisted many clients with alimony negotiations and disputes. To discuss your case with a knowledgeable divorce lawyer, Attorney John Belt to schedule a free initial consultation.
What is Spousal Maintenance?
Under Arizona law, spousal maintenance, which is commonly known as alimony, is a regular payment made by one spouse to another after divorce. The outcome of a spousal maintenance case is one of the most difficult things to predict in a divorce case, as the law of spousal maintenance is complex and always evolving to reflect changes in society. These days, courts seldom allow one spouse to receive "excessive" spousal maintenance, and courts are often reluctant to grant alimony at all.
Understanding the Reasons for Spousal Maintenance
In most cases, the purpose of spousal maintenance is rehabilitative, i.e. to support lesser-earning spouse financially while he or she improves his job skills or gets more education. Generally, unless the spouse to receive spousal maintenance is over fifty and the marriage has lasted more than twenty years, the spousal maintenance award will be for a limited time. In some cases, such as when one spouse has worked to put the other spouse through school, spousal maintenance may be considered a form of reimbursement.
How will the Court determine the amount of spousal maintenance?
There are many factors that affect whether one party is entitled to alimony, but the major factors are usually 1) the disparity in the parties' earnings and 2) the length of the marriage.
The divorce court may also look at the following additional factors:
- The standard of living during marriage.
- The age, employment history, earning ability, physical and emotional condition of the parties.
- Whether a party is the custodian of a very young child or an extremely disabled child.
- Whether the other party can pay spousal maintenance and still meet his or her own reasonable needs.
- Whether one of the parties contributed toward the other spouse’s career opportunities.
- Whether one of the parties sacrificed his or her own income or career opportunities for the benefit of the other spouse.
- The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to obtain appropriate employment.
- Whether one of the parties wasted or hid community assets.
The Belt Law Firm will provide you with its opinions regarding your spousal maintenance case during your free initial consultation.
Scottsdale Alimony Lawyer: Call 480-837-3600
If you have questions regarding alimony and spousal support, contact the Belt Law Firm. We charge reasonable rates and accept Visa and MasterCard. Northeast Phoenix Divorce Attorney John Belt has helped many individuals receive the spousal maintenance they need and deserve. Mr. Belt is skilled at working with courts as they make determinations on whether spousal maintenance is appropriate in a given situation, and to what degree. If necessary, we will work with economic experts, including vocational evaluators, to determine what employment options are viable and how long it would take to return to the work force.
Do you wish to return to school? We can petition for support for the duration of your schooling. Are you concerned that your and style of living will diminish sharply following your divorce? We can argue for a fair alimony. Did you forego a career or schooling, and now face challenges in the workplace? We can work to ensure that spousal support payments provide you with the income and opportunity you deserve. Contact us for a free initial consultation to discuss your legal options regarding your spousal maintenance case.
