Maintenance Payments for Either Spouse
When a couple moves to end a marriage, there are various legal considerations that need to be reviewed. This sometimes includes the possibility of maintenance payments, financial responsibilities that are also sometimes referred to as alimony or spousal support.
In both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, maintenance payments may be awarded to either spouse under certain circumstances. If you want to know if maintenance payments could be part of your divorce settlement, have a conversation with a Bucks County family attorney. Ending a marriage responsibility means understanding how to connect fair treatment under state law.
State Guidelines and Possible Payment Review
In Pennsylvania, spousal support is typically awarded to either spouse based on financial need and the ability to pay. Additionally, the following factors are reviewed.
- Earning capacity. A key step in the possibility of support payments is to evaluate the income and earning potential of each spouse.
- Duration of the union. The length of the marriage is part of determining maintenance payments. Longer marriages may result in longer-term support obligations.
- Marriage contributions. Each spouse’s contribution to the marriage will also be considered, including homemaking, childcare, and career sacrifices.
New Jersey has similar considerations, such as the following.
- Duration of the marriage. Reviewing how long the marriage lasted is essential. In long-term marriages, maintenance may be awarded for an indefinite period, especially if one spouse has been financially dependent on the other for an extended period.
- Income disparities. After assessing the income and earning potential of each spouse, it may be determined that one party will need to provide financial support to the other party.
- Standard of living. If the lifestyle enjoyed during the marriage is not in reach for a spouse who was not working during the union or earns a much lower income, payments may be required to ensure that both parties maintain a reasonably comparable standard of living post-divorce.
It is important to note that there is gender equality in both states when it comes to awarding maintenance payments. Traditionally, alimony was predominantly awarded to wives, but modern divorce laws aim to ensure that both husbands and wives are eligible for maintenance payments if circumstances warrant it.
Understanding Payment Timelines
How long maintenance payments will last varies depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Maintenance may be awarded for a specific period or until certain conditions are met, such as remarriage or cohabitation with a new partner. Talk to a Bucks County family attorney about your situation. Then, you can navigate the financial complexities of divorce with expertise and empathy. Connecting with a lawyer means you can secure the best possible outcome for your life today and into the future.
Do you want to discuss the possibility of maintenance payments? While the rules surrounding maintenance payments can differ slightly between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the overarching goal is always to ensure fairness and financial stability for both parties involved. Discuss your post-divorce objectives with the legal team at Kevin L. Hand, P.C. Call 215-968-6602 to schedule a consultation today.
