Understanding Spousal Support Before And After Divorce

Divorce often brings about feelings of financial uncertainty. If you have been a stay-at-home parent or spouse, working part-time or recently employed, you may be worried about supporting yourself after the divorce. If you are the “breadwinner” of the family, you may be concerned about having to pay monthly support to your soon-to-be ex-spouse. No matter what financial role you played in your marriage, we can help protect you and secure your financial future.

The Law Office of Martha McKee guides clients through every aspect of their family law case, including spousal support. Our founder has more than 30 years of experience, so we understand how spousal support and/or alimony is determined and the arguments that often prove most compelling in reaching those decisions.

Factors Considered In Spousal Support Awards

Before we get to the determination of who owes what, we first work to understand your financial situation, weighing your income and expenses. We aim to find out if you have an excess or deficit of income, and do the same for the opposing party. This assists us in determining who owes a duty of spousal support.

Then we can consider the factors the court weighs when determining awards, including:

• Monetary earnings of each spouse
• The length of the marriage
• The properties and investments that each spouse brought into their marriage
• The overall needs of each spouse
• The marital misconduct of both spouses. In North Carolina, adultery, abandonment and other issues such as alcohol abuse and domestic violence can be considerations in spousal support claims.
• Whether the support should be temporary post-separation support or permanent (alimony), the length of support is subject to legal considerations.

These factors are highly case-specific. These factors assist us in determining what legal steps to take in your case and these financial matters require seasoned legal minds to navigate. We are here to interpret the statutes for you and to help you come through your separation and divorce as financially whole as possible. That is possible, with the right legal team. Let us help you.

For Dependable Advice, Rely On Our Experienced Team

Based in Durham, the Law Office of Martha McKee serves clients throughout the Triangle area. We will guide you through the divorce process, provide dependable and trustworthy advice, and help prepare you for a new life ahead. To arrange your initial consultation, call us at 919-479-5588, or send us an email.