Alimony

Alimony (spousal support) is sometimes an issue in divorce. Factors that determine whether one spouse must pay alimony to the other include:

Prior to 2003, Virginia courts could only award “indefinite” alimony, meaning it would be paid until a further decision of the court stopped the alimony. In 2003, Virginia changed its statute and now “rehabilitative” or temporary alimony may be awarded by a court.

If adultery, sodomy, or buggery is proven against a spouse that seeks spousal support, then that spouse will generally not receive spousal support. There are exceptions to this rule.

Determining a fair spousal-support agreement or litigating a spousal support case, requires the expertise of a family law attorney from Wesley D Wornom, Attorney at Law, who understands all of the factors that come into play. Spousal support agreements vary in length and amount of support so it’s essential you have proper legal counsel to advise you. The family law attorney Wesley D Wornom, Attorney at Law, advocates on your behalf to ensure your alimony agreement is reasonable and just.

• Length of marriage
• Income of both parties
• Obligations, need and financial resources of the parties, including, but not limited to, income from pensions, profit sharing or retirement plans
• Property interests of both parties
• Potential incomes of parties that are voluntarily underemployed or unemployed
• Opportunity, or the costs needed for a party to obtain the appropriate education, training and experience to enhance their earning capacity
• Lifestyle during the marriage
• Decisions made during the marriage about employment, careers, economics, education and parenting arrangements
• Contributions, financial and non-financial, during the marriage
• Mental or physical illness
• Ability of the supporting spouse to pay
• Financial resources of each party
• Cause of the break-down of the marriage
• Special needs of a child, whether physical, mental or age, such that a mother or father may have limited time to work

If you are getting divorced and want to know how much you will have to pay – or will be able to receive, contact Wesley D Wornom, Attorney at Law today. We represent clients in Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, King George, Prince William and Fairfax, Virginia.