Is spousal maintenance the same as alimony?
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Is spousal maintenance the same as alimony?
Alimony, also called spousal support or spousal maintenance, is the payment of money by one spouse to the other after separation or divorce. Its purpose is to help the lower-earning spouse cover expenses and maintain the same standard of living after divorce.
How can I reduce spousal support?
In order to convince a judge to reduce (or even terminate) alimony, the paying spouse must demonstrate a significant change in the financial circumstances of one or both spouses, such as: the involuntary loss of a job or wage reduction. an illness or disability that prevents the paying spouse from working.
What happens if I don’t pay spousal support?
Unfortunately, until a spousal support order is modified in court, the payor, or paying spouse, will have to keep making payments. Not paying your spousal support may result in the court charging you with Contempt of Court, which is a serious charge that can result in jail time.
What happens to alimony if spouse loses job?
A job loss can sometimes reduce your spousal support obligations depending upon the circumstances. If the recipient spouse is not in agreement that the job loss should reduce spousal support, then you must convince the court that a change is reasonable in light of your current financial circumstances.
