One of the most highly contested matters in many New York State divorces is that of spousal maintenance. This is also frequently referred to as alimony. When determining whether a spousal maintenance award is necessary, the court will have to take a number of different factors into consideration. Often, one spouse believes they should be entitled to spousal maintenance while the other believes they shouldn’t have to continue supporting the other party after the divorce.
Some of the many factors that are taken into consideration when the court has to determine whether a spousal maintenance award is appropriate include the following:
- The income of each party
- Each party’s marital and separate property owned
- The length of the marriage (this is often one of the most important factors)
- The age and health of each party
- The earning potential of each party
- The current or necessary education and career training of each party
- Whether either spouse deferred life goals in an effort to support the other spouse or the family
- Each spouse’s obligations to care for family members such as children and other relatives
Of course, each marriage is different. Some divorces don’t require an alimony award at all. If you have questions about whether a spousal maintenance award is beneficial in your situation, contact our firm today.
Peter V. Mandi, Esq. is an experienced divorce and family law attorney located in Bohemia, New York. If you require strong and dedicated legal representation in Long Island, New York, contact Peter V. Mandi & Associates, Inc. today for a free consultation.
