Alimony Lawyers

When two people are married, there is often a difference between the parties’ incomes. Alimony is the court’s way of making sure that when they divorce, they both can still pay their expenses.

What is Alimony?

Alimony payments, also commonly referred to as spousal support, are payments by one spouse (or in a domestic partnership in DC, by one partner) to the other for their support. Whether there is alimony and if so, the amount and duration, is subjective and depends on multiple factors, which differ depending on whether you’re in Maryland, DC, or Virginia. 

 

Court-ordered alimony is always modifiable. However, spouses can agree to limit if, when, and how changes can be made. Alimony terminates upon the expiration of the term and upon other jurisdiction-specific circumstances and agreements between the parties.

Types of Alimony

There are generally four main types of alimony that may be awarded or agreed to, depending on jurisdiction-specific factors. The four main types of spousal support are pendente lite, rehabilitative, term, and indefinite.

Pendente Lite Alimony

Pendente lite alimony is temporary spousal support until a final trial or determination is reached. This is meant to allow a spouse to maintain their financial status quo and meet their reasonable needs during the divorce process.

Term Alimony

Term alimony is spousal support for a defined period of time. It serves as a bridge from the time of divorce until a set point in the future.

Rehabilitative Alimony

A form of term alimony, rehabilitative alimony is spousal support for a defined period of time to allow an economically dependent spouse time to get on their feet. It is frequently used in cases where someone needs time to re-enter the workforce or to attain skills, education, or training.

Indefinite Alimony

Indefinite alimony does not have a set end date. If the court orders indefinite alimony, it is always modifiable.

Is Alimony Guaranteed? 

Alimony is not guaranteed. A court may award alimony or the parties may agree to the payment of alimony. Unlike child support, there are no guidelines that the court is required to consult to determine whether to award alimony, how much to award, or for what period of time. In order to determine alimony, the court looks at and weighs numerous factors.

How is Alimony Determined? 

Alimony is determined based on subjective factors, depending on where you get divorced. These factors may include the parties’ ages and health, the length of the marriage, the financial needs and resources of the parties, the circumstances that led to the breakdown of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, contributions to the marriage, and each party’s ability to be self-supporting.

How Our Alimony Lawyers Can Help You  

Whether you may pay or receive alimony, our attorneys bring clarity and confidence to your unique situation. We provide careful and intentional consideration and understanding for the roles, obligations, and rights between the partners. 

Speak With a Trusted Alimony Lawyer 

Lerch Early’s spousal support lawyers help the parties involved reach agreements and support orders, and modify or enforce existing agreements or orders.

 

Contact an Alimony Lawyer

Success Stories

Gaining Physical Custody in Relocation Case

Challenge

The mother of our client’s children planned to move away for a new job opportunity, taking the children with her. She had been the primary parent, so our client wished to gain sole physical custody of the children, allowing them to remain in the DC area.

Strategy

Lerch Early argued before the court that the children would be best served to stay in this area with their father. We worked with key experts to demonstrate that a move to the new location would be detrimental to the children’s interests.

Result

The judge awarded sole physical custody to our client, allowing the children to remain in the environment where they attended school and had friends.

Insights