Butler Alimony Lawyer
Alimony is a financial tool paid to the lower earning spouse by the higher earning spouse during divorce or after the divorce is final. While just three percent of men receive alimony, according to the Census and Divorce Magazine, it is available to either spouse, regardless of sex. Alimony is often a critical financial payment that the lower earning spouse can use to get back on their own feet when it comes to employment, particularly if they were a homemaker or the primary parent when it came to raising the couple’s child. At Bunde & Roberts, P.C., our skilled Butler alimony lawyers can help ensure that alimony, and all aspects of your divorce, run as smoothly as possible, and that you get the result you want.
Three Types of Alimony in Pennsylvania
There are three types of alimony in Pennsylvania, and the wording can cause confusion. These types of alimony are:
- Spousal Support—Temporary support that can be paid before and/or after the divorce is finalized. Spousal support is common among marriages in which the lower earning spouse requires financial support during the many months, or years, that the divorce takes.
- Alimony Pendente Lite—Alimony pendente lite is also awarded while the divorce is ongoing. Its purpose is to give the receiving spouse enough financial support to continue the lifestyle they grew accustomed to during the marriage. This may cover the costs of housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and more.
- Alimony—”Alimony” is the traditional alimony that most people think of when they hear the word. In Pennsylvania, “alimony” spousal support is paid to the lower earning spouse when the divorce is finalized. The amount, and duration, of alimony paid is dependent upon the circumstances of each ex-spouse, and of course the court’s determination of those elements.
Basis for Alimony
There are 17 factors that the court looks at when determining whether alimony is necessary, the duration it should be paid, and the amount paid. These factors, under § 3701, are:
- Earning and earning capacity of each party;
- Age, physical, mental, and emotional conditions of each party;
- Sources of income of each party;
- Expectancies and inheritances of each party;
- Duration of the marriage;
- Contributions of one party to the education, training; or increased earning power of the other party (higher earning party);
- How child custody affects a party’s finances;
- Standard of living of each party established during the marriage;
- Education of each party and the time needed to acquire education or training to be self supportive;
- Assets and liabilities of each party;
- Property brought to the marriage by either party;
- Contributions that each party made as a homemaker;
- Needs of each party (such as medical);
- Any marital misconduct, such as abandonment, abuse, adultery, etc.;
- Tax ramifications of the alimony award;
- Whether or not the party seeking alimony lacks sufficient property; and
- Whether or not the party seeking alimony is incapable of self-support through appropriate employment.
Call a Butler Alimony Attorney Today for Help
Making sure your alimony payment is fair, whether you are the paying or receiving spouse, requires the assistance of an experienced Butler alimony lawyer. Here at Bunde & Roberts, P.C., our skilled attorneys can help ensure that alimony, and all aspects of your divorce, run as smoothly as possible, and that you get the result you want. Call us today at 412-391-4330 to schedule a consultation.
