Towson Alimony Lawyers
Our Baltimore County Divorce Lawyers Fight Diligently for Favorable Spousal Support Awards for Our Clients
The dissolution of a marriage can result in severe financial hardship to one or both spouses. Marriage requires that each spouse support the other and the end of this obligation may place a financial hardship on spouses who do not have the ability to financially support themselves. Spousal support, also referred to as alimony, is appropriate for individuals who cannot support themselves after a divorce.
Under Maryland law an individual may only request alimony prior to the final decree of divorce. If an ex-spouse fails to request spousal support prior to the final divorce decree, they will forfeit their rights to obtain alimony at a later date. In order to protect all of your rights to spousal support, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced Towson divorce lawyer as early in the separation and divorce process as possible.
Maryland recognizes several categories of spousal support. An individual may be entitled to financial support from their ex-spouse even prior to the final divorce decree. Between the time the divorce petition or a request for alimony is filed and the final divorce decree, a spouse may receive alimony pendente lite. An award of alimony pendente lite does not guarantee that an individual will be awarded alimony as a result of the divorce. It is merely a temporary measure in effect during the divorce proceedings.
Rehabilitative alimony is a short-term form of spousal support designed to assist an individual with getting back on their feet financially. This type of alimony usually lasts for a short period time, maybe two or three years, and rarely as long as ten. Often granted to allow an individual to pursue an educational or vocational goal, rehabilitative alimony is designed to provide an individual an opportunity to acquire competitive job skills. Homemakers and parents who stayed home with children during the marriage usually qualify for rehabilitative alimony.
Indefinite alimony is a permanent type of spousal support that a court grants to an individual who is unable to work due to age, physical illness or mental illness or sometimes where there is a large disparity in incomes. This extremely rare type of alimony could continue until an individual’s death as there is no specific end point designated in the spousal support award.
Complex Spousal Support Issues
Many couples enter into prenuptial or postnuptial agreements that may eliminate the need for court-ordered alimony payments. Other times it is possible for divorcing couples to work out their own spousal support agreements without the need for court intervention. An experienced divorce attorney can assist couples in drafting enforceable spousal support agreements that fairly represent the financial interests of both parties. Since signed spousal support agreements can only be modified by the court in rare cases such as when the agreement is not a valid contract or shocks the conscience of the court, the advice of an experienced Baltimore County divorce lawyer is crucial during the drafting of these agreements.
Court Determination of Spousal Support
When spouses cannot agree on an alimony amount, the Maryland courts will intervene to determine the amount and type of spousal support, if any, to which an individual is entitled. Maryland courts consider many factors in determining the appropriate amount and type of spousal support including:
- Length of the marriage;
- Age of spouses;
- Physical and mental health of spouse;
- Reasons behind the divorce;
- Financial circumstances of the spouses before, during and after the divorce;
- Earning capacities of each spouse;
- Couple’s standard of living during the length of the marriage;
- Educational/vocational goals of spouse returning to the workplace and the length of time to accomplish these goals;
- Agreements made between the parties;
- Alternative sources of income of each spouse;
- Financial obligations/debts of each spouse;
- Retirement benefits of each spouse; and
- Remarriage plans of a spouse.
Towson Alimony Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC Assist Individuals with Divorce Planning Issues including Spousal Support
Our law offices are conveniently located for easy access from all regions throughout Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County, including the areas of Baltimore, Towson, Essex, Columbia and Bel Air.
Whether you are paying or receiving spousal support, the guidance of an experienced family law attorney can protect your financial security during the divorce process. The dedicated Baltimore County divorce lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC in Hunt Valley assist individuals with all of their divorce planning needs including issues related to property settlements, child custody, child support and spousal support. Our attorneys aggressively fight on behalf of our clients to ensure that your legal rights and financial security are protected. To schedule a confidential consultation today, call the experienced Towson alimony lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC at 443-589-0150 or contact us online.