With a divorce, comes many financial issues that need to be negotiated. Such issues include responsibility for debts incurred during the marriage and ownership of the marital home. One of the biggest questions that may arise is whether one spouse will be responsible to pay alimony and/or child support. If you're receiving support or possibly paying it in the future, it's important to understand why and the difference between alimony and child support.
Alimony, or spousal support, is an amount paid to one spouse from another after a divorce has been settled. Alimony payments can be ordered by a judge for a specific amount of time or until the spouse receiving the support is remarried.
Alimony is normally arranged to help the spouse receiving support to maintain a similar lifestyle to the one they were used to during the marriage. Alimony will not be granted automatically—the spouse wanting alimony support has to request it. If the judge decides to grant alimony, a spouse will generally have to pay a specific amount each month until:
Like many issues, you and your spouse can agree to the amount and length of time alimony payments will last. However, if you can’t agree on terms, the court will set them for you. Consequently, having a judge make the decision for you means there will be a trial and it will cost you time and money.
In addition to alimony or spousal support, our family law practice covers divorce and related matters such as spousal child custody, and child support issues. Because family law can concern some of the most cherished people in your life, Macfarlane Law, PLLC will manage your case with sensitivity, empathy, and consideration. Some of the additional areas of our family law practice include adoptions, step-parent adoptions, adult adoptions, and guardianships, conservatorships, and powers of attorney. One of our top priorities is making sure you understand the legal process involving your case. Because of this, Macfarlane Law, PLCC will explain every option available and keep you involved throughout the entire process.
Our family law services also include the following:
Our Ogden law office understands how difficult your current situation can be. It is our top priority to give the legal advice needed for the best possible outcome. To schedule a FREE initial consultation, call today at 801-336-4321 or fill out the contact form below.
