When someone plans to file for divorce, the person may wonder if he or she qualifies for spousal support, also known as alimony. If the spouse is not cooperative about the idea of support, the two may need to bring the matter before a judge to decide. A Spousal Support Attorney in Athens TN represents clients who deserve this type of income for a variety of reasons.
Temporary Support
In the 21st Century, the court typically only allows temporary support unless there are special circumstances regarding why the ex-spouse cannot work full-time. The idea is to help this person get on his or her feet in the working world. That may require completing training for a job or having the time to find a job that pays a living wage.
No Support
Sometimes, support is not granted at all, as when the person already has a full-time job or has received substantial of assets in the divorce that will easily cover normal living expenses. If the person filing for divorce expects support payments because the spouse acted badly, such as having an affair, this usually is not considered to be qualifying criteria.
Long-Term Support
A Spousal Support Attorney in Athens TN is more likely to approach a judge with the information that the marriage lasted for many years and the couple had agreed one person would not work or would only work part-time. If the couple is in late middle age, the judge might expect the spouse with the earning power to provide support payments. This might last until the other person is eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, or it could even last a lifetime.
Mediation
Negotiations might be attempted during mediation sessions to avoid going to court. The sessions could be arranged by a law firm such as Chancey-Kanavos. Perhaps the spouse with the significantly better income would be willing to part with a valuable asset instead of support payments. This would allow the other spouse to sell that asset and live on the proceeds for years to come. Visit the website to learn more about this particular law firm.
