GSRM Law has helped clients throughout the Nashville area in pursuing fair resolutions in regard to alimony. Our spousal support attorneys represent spouses seeking or facing alimony payments throughout Middle Tennessee. We can listen to the details of your situation and discuss your options.
Alimony is part of a spousal support agreement and provides financial support after a divorce to a spouse who earned less or no income during the marriage. Alimony can be agreed upon during divorce proceedings with the help of a spousal support lawyer. If one spouse or the other cannot reach a satisfactory agreement with the help of their divorce lawyers, a court decision will dictate the amount and length of payments.
Why Should Anyone Receive Alimony?
Alimony is a chance for both parties involved in the divorce process to rest assured that neither party is left financially disadvantaged due to the legal issues that come with divorce proceedings. Independent research has revealed that, when faced with complex divorce cases, the spouse that lacked earning capacity would simply opt to stay in an unhappy marriage rather than be left with nothing when marital property is split. The ex spouse, whichever one, needs to not leave a destitute partner in the wake of decisions based on law.
When a divorce lawyer cannot help to reach an agreement during the divorce process, and the court is forced to provide legal assistance to do so, then there will be many factors considered in order to determine the stipulations of the arrangement. Under certain circumstances, alimony may not be awarded at all. To determine whether your divorce calls for spousal support, the court may consider:
- The length of your marriage
- Your income and the income of your spouse
- Age and physical health, especially as pertaining to employability
- The quality of life you and your spouse enjoyed while married
- Current employment and skills
After a divorce, if you were previously responsible for taking care of children while your significant other worked, you may have lost certain job skills and experience. In such a case, spousal support may be necessary to meet your living costs as you gain necessary job training and secure employment. Alimony is not the same thing as child support.
Different Types of Alimony in Tennessee
Under Tennessee law, alimony is divided into four types:
- Periodic Alimony – Also known as permanent alimony, this is commonly awarded in marriages where there is only one spouse who is the breadwinner and the other requires financial support to maintain an accustomed lifestyle.
- Rehabilitative Alimony – This is designed to support a financially dependent former spouse who has decided to enroll in a training or education program to increase his/her earning potential.
- Transitional Alimony – This is awarded to a spouse who may have the skills to be employable yet the divorce has impacted him/her financially. The finances help bridge the gap until the spouse can recover.
- Lump Sum Alimony – The spouse will receive a single payment to equalize any property division.
When the alimony award is determined, factors like the type, length, and amount paid are considered in the final court order. Alimony must be agreed to, or awarded, at the time of a divorce and may not be sought after the fact.
Alimony can be one of the trickier areas of the law to navigate in a divorce. Having legal representation from an experienced divorce attorney practicing at an established law firm will benefit you in front of the court.
If you are in the process of getting divorced or have recently become divorced, the spousal support attorneys at GSRM Law will make sure you will get the financial support you need.