Utah Alimony Attorney

An alimony award (or “spousal support”) is very important to both parties.  The spouse who makes less money wants to know whether he or she is going to receive enough alimony to cover current or future expenses.  The spouse who makes more money wants to pay as little alimony as possible.

It is not possible to predict with perfect accuracy the amount or duration of a court’s alimony award in a given case, if the court awards alimony at all.  There are some guidelines, however, that courts apply when making alimony determinations:

• The court will generally attempt to make an alimony award that allows the non-paying spouse to maintain the same standard of living enjoyed at the time of the parties’ separation, if the higher earning spouse has excess income to accomplish this.

• The court must consider the needs and earning capacity of the lower earning spouse; the ability of the obligor spouse to provide support (i.e. income minus expenses); and, the length of the marriage.

• If neither party has enough resources to meet their own needs (their expenses exceed their income), the court may craft an alimony award that equalizes the parties’ respective deficits.

Salt Lake City, Orem, Provo, Ogden, Sandy Alimony Attorney

Hiring a family law attorney gives you the best opportunity to know how much alimony, if any, is appropriate for your case.  Please call Utah Divorce Firm today at (801) 424-5280 and let us be your advocate through this process so you can avoid the pitfalls that can cause years of pain and financial distress.