Spousal Support

If you are thinking about getting a divorce in New York, the financial aspect of it may weigh heavily on your mind. No matter your income level, your financial situation can take a hit when you divorce. Spouses who didn't work or worked less while married are in a harder position because they are financially dependent on the other spouse. Rather than allow the spouse to succumb to a lower standard of living or become a public charge, spousal support might be established.

That said, spousal support is not as common today because both spouses tend to work and make their own income. It is, however, an important component of any divorce where the financial disparity requires it. If you have questions about spousal support, whether you are the one who wants alimony or the one who must provide it, contact O'Brien Monagan Law Firm P.C. at 518-427-7000 to schedule a Consultation. Our divorce lawyer in New York will provide honest answers and advocate for your rights.

Understanding Alimony in New York

Spousal support, spousal maintenance, and alimony are all terms used to describe a situation where one spouse pays another spouse a court-ordered payment for a certain amount of time during or after a divorce. In New York, these payments are referred to as Spousal Support.

Spouses can agree on Spousal Support, but the end result must be fair. If you fail to agree, the spouse seeking support must file a formal notice with the court to request alimony.

Alimony can be temporary or permanent, the former of which is the norm. It can also be a lump-sum versus periodic monthly payments, the latter of which is the norm. Further, Spousal Support is not always in the form of money but can include a property transfer. Both lump-sum payments and property transfers are non-modifiable once the order is issued. That means if circumstances change, the alimony will not change. However, when it is in the form of periodic payments, Spousal Support is modifiable.

Factors Determining the Amount of Spousal Support

The circumstances of the spouses going through a divorce will determine both the amount and the duration of alimony payments. Some of the most important factors that might influence alimony include but are not limited to:

The length of the marriage
Age of the spouses
Mental or physical condition of each spouse
The income disparity between the spouses
The likelihood that the financially-dependent spouse can secure a well-paying job
Professional skills or educational accomplishments of the dependent spouse
The couple's standard of living during the marriage
Individual assets of each spouse
How long it would take for the dependent spouse to become self-sufficient
Any children and if child support will be needed

As mentioned above, you and your spouse can determine the amount by an agreement without interference of the court, keeping in mind it must be fair.

Termination of Spousal Support in New York

An end date can also be determined by agreement between the spouses, but if not, the court will determine it. Other times or in lieu of an end date, spousal support may terminate if one of the following occurs:

The supported spouse remarries or cohabitates; or
Either spouse dies.

A significant event may occur, too, which prompts an end to Spousal Support. In that case, it's determined on a case-by-case basis. Regardless of the reason to terminate Spousal Support, evidence may need to be provided to support the reason for termination.

Defenses to Challenge Spousal Support

Alimony can be a highly contested aspect of any divorce. The spouse who may be ordered to pay alimony may want to challenge it. Reasons to deny a spousal support claim include but are not limited to:

Marital misconduct
Adultery
Bigamy
Cruelty, including domestic violence
Abandonment
Felony conviction
Humiliation that makes marriage intolerable

In the end, if Spousal Support is contested, the final say on the matter will be the judge. It's important to try at all costs to come to an agreement because the expense of hearings or a trial can take its toll on a divorcing couple.

Spousal Support Enforcement in New York

Once a Spousal Support order is signed by a judge, it is enforceable. Most times, payment is set up through the employer and automatically sent to the supported spouse. Other times, the paying spouse pays the supported spouse directly. The arrangement of spousal support payments will be included in the order.

If the paying spouse fails to pay, they can be held in contempt of court and could face fines and penalties. The supported spouse can file a show-cause action with the court and a hearing will be set.

Temporary Spousal Support And Long-Term Support

There are two types of spousal support in New York: temporary spousal support and a final order of support. Temporary spousal support may be awarded while a divorce case is pending. Long-term spousal support is awarded at the conclusion of the case for a specific amount and period of time, or in some cases for a lifetime. If long-term support is awarded in the divorce, the amount may be different than the amount for the temporary award. The long-term award will factor in the need for support, the spouse's ability to pay, the length of time of the marriage, ability to work, whether a child support award is made, and more. The law in this area continues to evolve. The guidelines have become more formulaic, and the current statute is based primarily on income history and the length of the marriage. The differences between the types of support, and how each factor is considered under the guidelines, can be complicated to understand. At our firm, we are comprehensive in explaining the guidelines and in setting realistic expectations for our clients.

Contact a spousal support Lawyer in New York Today

If you are seeking a divorce, you should always get the advice and guidance of a divorce lawyer. At O'Brien Monagan Law Firm P.C., our family law lawyer will provide the support and representation you need, including your efforts to obtain, argue against, or modify alimony. Contact us online or directly at 518-427-7000 to schedule a Consultation.

Contact Our Law Office: 518 427-7000