Understanding Spousal Support in Divorce
When a couple decides to divorce, one of the most important issues to address is spousal support. Also known as alimony, spousal support is a form of financial support that one spouse may receive from the other during and/or after a divorce. Understanding the laws and guidelines surrounding spousal support is an important part of the divorce process. Spousal support is a legal obligation for one spouse to financially provide for the other, typically after a divorce. It is important to note that spousal support is not necessarily the same as child support; while spousal support is intended to help one spouse maintain the same standard of living they had during the marriage, child support is meant to provide for the financial needs of any minor children of the marriage. When determining spousal support, state courts typically look at a variety of factors, including the earning capacity of each spouse, how much each spouse contributed to the marriage (both financially and otherwise),...