Spousal Maintenance

Spousal Support / Spousal Maintenance

Spousal support, also called alimony or spousal maintenance, is a financial award separate from child support. It usually comes into play when one spouse has considerably more earning power than the other spouse. Temporary maintenance is available for the duration of the divorce proceeding, and is available to common law marriages as well. Permanent maintenance is set in the divorce decree, although it can usually be modified if circumstances change.

If you have any questions about alimony, our Colorado Springs family law attorneys would be happy to answer them for you. Please call us at the Marrison Law Firm for an initial consultation.

Spousal Maintenance Facts

Temporary maintenance lasts from the divorce filing to the final decree. For couples who make under $75,000 a year combined income, temporary maintenance is 40 percent of the higher earner’s income, minus 50 percent of the lower earner’s income.

The final order of maintenance is determined by need and the ability to pay.

Permanent spousal support is rarer than it used to be. Generally, it is awarded only if the couple has been married for more than 20 years or if one partner is disabled, especially if the disability occurred during the marriage.

Alimony can also be temporary, allowing the homemaker spouse time to get back into the workforce.

In order to determine whether giving or receiving alimony is a good option for you, please call us, and we would be happy to discuss your options.

Contact a spousal support lawyer to talk about your case.