Seeking Spousal Support

Regardless of what you call it – spousal support, alimony or maintenance – its purpose is the same: to rehabilitate a nonworking spouse back into the workplace after adivorce.

In cases where one spouse worked outside of the home while the other did not or served as a stay-at-home parent, the idea of divorce can be daunting. For the homebound spouse, the idea of starting a career and being financially independent can be overwhelming. Spousal support is designed to bridge the gap between financially dependent and independent.

I am attorneyKurt Richards of Kurt Richards Law, P.C., and I have represented more than 3,000 clients successfully in their divorce family court matters over more than 30 years.

How To Calculate Spousal Maintenance

Spousal maintenance can be paid from one spouse to another during separation (temporary maintenance) and after the divorce (permanent maintenance). It may come in payments or in one lump sum. Like child support and regardless of its timing and amount,
alimony is gender-neutral. The amount depends on a variety of factors that must be determined when filing for spousal support. These factors include, but are not limited to:

• How long you were married
• The income and job status of both parties
• Employability of each spouse
• Assets and debts of each spouse
• Special needs
• The age of the parties

While New York state has clear-cut guidelines for calculating temporary spousal maintenance, you should seek an experienced Staten Island spousal support lawyer who will dig deeper into your financial history and the life of your marriage to determine the factors that will affect the amount you will be awarded or have to pay.

Helping You Navigate Spousal Support And Other Concerns In Your Divorce

To learn more about my firm and how I can help you determine your spousal maintenance,contact my office or call my 24-hour answering service at 718-720-1000 to schedule a free consultation.