Alimony, or “maintenance” as it is now known, is one spouse’s responsibility to support the other spouse. Maintenance is different and separate from child support which is money paid due to a child support obligation.

The court uses many factors in determining alimony, including:

• Length of the marriage
• The difference in the earnings or earning potentials of the parties
• Each party’s ability to acquire income in the future
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• Whether there are children from the marriage and whether one spouse has given up career opportunities due to the marriage
• Age and health of the parties

Other factors regarding spousal support include:

• Alimony payments are normally taxable to the recipient; the spouse who makes the payments is allowed to deduct the maintenance payments that are made from income tax.

• Generally, maintenance support is terminated if the recipient begins living with another person in a resident, continuing and conjugal situation.

Going through a divorce is one of the most difficult experiences a person can experience, short of the death or severe illness of a loved one. You need a compassionate, intelligent and experienced divorce attorney working with you to protect your rights and establish fair and equitable child and spousal monetary support. Call the Law Firm of Martin Sir & Associates at 615-256-5661; we will fight for your rights.

If you are going through a divorce and battling with your spouse over child custody, you owe it to yourself to get the best possible legal representation. We will be by your side every step of the way protecting your rights and those of your children. Call the law offices of Martin Sir & Associates at 615-256-5661.