As a financially dependent spouse, you may be entitled to financial support from your spouse during and after a divorce. Alimony is supposed to help you meet your financial needs and maintain a lifestyle similar to the one you were used to during the marriage.
When determining the amount and duration of alimony, the court will look at several aspects of your marriage and the economic circumstances of each spouse. Here is how it works in Illinois.
Factors that will weigh in the court’s decision
Once the judge determines that you are deserving of spousal maintenance, they will consider several factors when determining the amount. They include:
- All sources of income and the property owned by each spouse, including marital and non-marital assets
- Any financial obligations imposed by the court regarding the divorce
- Each spouse’s financial needs
- The age and physical condition of each spouse
- The present and future earning capacity of each spouse
- The standards of living established during the marriage
- The duration of the marriage
- Any existing legally binding agreements
- Any other factors the court finds relevant, among others
After reviewing these and other factors, the court will issue appropriate orders on the amount of financial support a spouse is entitled to.
How long does spousal support last?
The duration of spousal maintenance largely depends on the length of the marriage, although the court can specify in its orders how long the payments will last. Alimony may also end when the receiving spouse remarries or upon the death of either spouse.
Are you having issues with alimony?
Financially, divorce should not pull the rag from under your feet. Therefore, if you encounter any problems regarding alimony, such as payment defaults, it is advisable to seek assistance on the best way of handling the situation.
Similarly, it helps to be aware of your options as the paying spouse if you cannot meet your spousal support obligations. The court is aware that circumstances may change, and it is possible to request a review of your case.