Is Wife entitled to spousal support?
Is Wife entitled to spousal support?
Under the Family Law Act, a legal or de facto spouse may claim spousal maintenance after separation. If a spouse is entitled to spousal maintenance, the spouse with the higher income must provide him or her with financial support. This may be paid periodically or as a lump sum, depending on the circumstances.
What qualifies spousal support?
Spousal support is generally awarded to a spouse who has been out of work during the marriage or makes a lower income and needs the support of the other husband even after the divorce. Alimony payments can also be modified depending on the ability to pay.
How long does divorce maintenance last?
For marriages lasting 15 to 20 years, maintenance is expected to last 30% to 40% of the length of the marriage. For marriages lasting more than 20 years, maintenance is expected to last 35% to 50% of the length of the marriage. If the recipient spouse remarries or either spouse dies, the payments will also end.
What happens if you can’t pay spousal support?
If you stop making alimony payments (regardless of the reason), you could face civil or criminal charges for contempt of court. Contempt of court means that you violated a court order during your divorce proceedings. The court might give you extra time to pay or establish a new payment plan.
