Attorney representation in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Divorce Lawyer

Alimony

Alimony—also known as spousal or maintenance support—is the legal obligation of one spouse to provide continued financial support to another, either temporarily or permanently, when a court determines that the situation demands it under the statutes of family law. Alimony may be paid out in one lump sum, or incrementally over time until the receiving spouse dies or remarries. Alimony may also be awarded temporarily while a divorce is pending, in order to maintain status quo and ensure that both sides have equal access to family law attorneys to represent their cases fairly.

Alimony is determined on a case-by-case basis, and the terms of alimony are different for every unique situation. A court is tasked with whether alimony is appropriate, and in what amount, based on one spouse’s ability to provide for the needs of the other. When determining the terms of alimony, a court will also consider a variety of factors such as:

Income and financial status of each spouse
Future earning potential of each spouse
Education and career training of each spouse
Separate assets owned by each spouse
Financial and non-financial contributions of each spouse to the marriage
Domestic conduct and any allegations of abuse
Health and age of each spouse
Length of marriage

Determining the terms of alimony is a complicated process, that may be mitigated by many factors. For example, a spouse who would otherwise be entitled to alimony may lose that entitlement if that spouse caused the divorce through adultery or desertion. If you are moving forward with a divorce in Atlanta, you need the help of an experienced Atlanta alimony attorney to help you obtain the best possible outcome for your case. To discuss your options, schedule a free consultation with one of our top Atlanta alimony lawyers today.