The obligation of spouses to support each other does not necessarily terminate when they divorce. If the divorce will leave one spouse with very little income and the other with enough to contribute to the low-income spouse's support, the court will usually award alimony, at least temporarily. Although historically spousal maintenance was typically awarded to homemaker wives, to be paid by breadwinning husbands, that is no longer always the case.

In New Jersey, spousal support is not something that can be "calculated." There is no worksheet similar to the Child Support Guidelines. And, every divorce does not involve spousal support. First, there has to be a need for support, and, second, there has to be a request for support. Some people who need help just don't want any help - they want to make it on their own. And, if spousal support is provided, it might not be paid forever. There are many kinds of support.

Yes. Although non-payment of child support has received more attention from the courts and media, the procedures for collecting past-due alimony—and the hardships caused by non-payment—are very similar. We also collect other Family Law related debts such as Property Divisions and Attorney Fee Orders. Divorce judgments usually require child support to be paid as long as the child is a minor and not married or emancipated.

In New Jersey, there is not a single way of computing spousal support. There is no worksheet similar to the Child Support Guidelines. And, every divorce does not involve spousal support. First, you must show a need or reason for support, and, second, you must request the support. Some people who need help just don't want any help - they want to make it on their own. And, if spousal support is provided, it might not be paid forever. There are many kinds of support.

There is no precise statutory guidance for spousal support as there is for child support. The court considers the relative earning capacity of each spouse, the possibility of education or training to increase the earning capacity of a spouse, whether a spouse has been out of the work force for a long time, and other factors.

The amount and duration that you have to pay spousal support varies widely but it is based on such factors as the length of the marriage, the needs of each party and the means of each party and whether anyone was prejudiced in some way by the marriage or the marriage breakdown. A good starting point is to add up the net family income and then divide it 50/50. The party with more income may ending up paying the party with less income to help lessen the difference between them.

The award of alimony, also called “spousal support,” is determined in the court’s discretion taking into account certain specifically enumerated factors set forth in Chapter 61, Florida Statutes.

If the parties cannot agree, the Court will utilize the Virginia Support Guidelines for child support and the applicable County guidelines for alimony [spousal support]. However there could be a substantial variation based on "other factors" the Court may be asked to consider by either party.

Chances are if you make significantly more money than your spouse, you will have to pay spousal support. The general rule is that you will be expected to pay for one-half the number of years you were married, unless your spouse becomes self-sufficient, moves in with someone or remarries.

The law provides that parties to a divorce or legal separation should be self-supporting to the extent that they can be. In the event either party is unable to be fully self-supporting, spousal maintenance may be appropriate. (Some states call it "alimony" – in Arizona, the correct term is "Spousal Maintenance.") You may want to obtain and read A.R.S.

Spousal support, otherwise known as "alimony", is not required in all cases in most states, but should be considered and may even be ordered by the judge under certain circumstances. If the circumstances are such that a spouse will face hardships if he or she does not receive financial support, than spousal support should be considered. The deciding factor regarding spousal support is the need to maintain the spouse at his or her customary standard of living.

Yes. In order to receive direct payment from DFAS for alimony and child support under the Act, you will first need to get a court order requiring the payment of child support or alimony. The court order does not have to state specifically that the award is made as direct payment of retired pay. The court order and/or other documents served with the court order must identify the soldier concerned and, if possible, state his or her Social Security Number.

Yes, child support and alimony received by the applicant is counted as income. If you pay child support and/or alimony, it cannot be deducted from income regardless of household size. Yes, you are considered a displaced homemaker. HUD defines a displaced homemaker as: Any individual who is a displaced homemaker may be considered a first-time homebuyer on the basis that the individual, while a homemaker, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse.

The judge will decide these and other issues after hearing what is said in court. The final decision will depend on the testimony which is given in court. The court may also award rehabilitative or reimbursement alimony. Rehabilitative alimony is paid only for a limited period of time and is designed to help a spouse receive training or further education. Your lawyer will help you to make your needs and wishes clear to the judge.

Spousal support can be determined by the parties through a settlement agreement, or a judge can determine the amount of spousal support to be paid, if any, if a case goes to trial.