Till Death Do You Pay: Understanding Spousal Support

Nobody thinks they’ll be getting a divorce in a few short years as they read off their vows to the person they’re marrying. Unfortunately, this is the case for more than half of marriages. This is why “to death do us part” might not be the best choice of words for some marriages. What we don’t think about, or at least don’t want to think about are the repercussions of getting a divorce. From child support to property division, there is a variety of moving pieces that come along with divorce. One of these unfortunate aspects is spousal support. 

Also commonly known as alimony, spousal support is true in its name as it warrants one spouse to pay the other periodic installments after their divorce is finalized. It is usually the breadwinner of the two spouses that have to pay the majority of the alimony. This makes sure that both spouses are financially taken care of following their divorce. Like most legal issues, spousal support can sometimes be a complex and convoluted process to understand. Luckily, that’s why you have us to explain it. 

What’s It All About: Understanding Spousal Support

The whole function of spousal support is to avoid any unfair economic or financial repercussions that a divorce can have on both spouses. This form of contribution makes sure that both parties are taken care of financially and economically. A justification that is made when it comes to spousal support is that one party sacrificed a career or occupation in order to support his or her family. This is the primary argument that is made when it comes to fighting for spousal support. 

The whole point of spousal support is to allow both parties to continue their way of life without any roadblocks or disruptions. While one party will be the one paying the spousal support, they should take rest in knowing that they are taking care of someone they once loved. Spousal support is sometimes an absolute necessity for certain parties due to income tax, property management, and even living arrangements. 

The How Of It All: How Spousal Support Is Determined

Like child support, spousal support is determined by the courts. The only difference between spousal support and child support is that the former can be broadly decided based on the breadwinner’s income and total pay. In contrast, child support is a fixed number for the duration of a child’s adolescence. 

There are a variety of factors that go into determining how much one pays for spousal support. These factors range from a person’s age and physical condition to the length of the marriage and the couple’s standard of living during their marriage. It’s important to note that spousal support does not have an exact date that will end the payments. These payments could last for multiple years, or they could be as short as just a singular year; it all depends on the specifics of each individual case.