Alimony in CT
There is nothing unusual about a marriage in which one spouse makes significantly more than the other. This only becomes of interest if such a couple divorces, as the spouse of lesser income could suddenly be dropped on hard times and dire financial straits. When this is likely to occur due to a divorce, a Connecticut family law court may consider assigning alimony paid by the spouse of greater income to the other.
Purpose of Alimony
A Connecticut family law judge will not want to see either spouse afflicted with undue hardship after the divorce due to financial disparities. The goal is to allow both spouses to maintain the standard of living established while married. Standards of living cannot be empirically measured, but can be argued in court. By working with a family law attorney, a party can better explain their expected comforts that they enjoyed while married and should be able to continue enjoying after the divorce finalizes. To maintain those expected comforts, alimony, an award, or both can be assigned by the court. It is also worth noting that child support payments already decided or pending can make the entire situation considerably more complicated, as the whole financial picture must be regarded when selecting the correct amount of alimony.
How Is Alimony Calculated in CT
Since every marriage is unique, every alimony order will be one-of-a-kind as well. Determining how much is paid each month from one ex-spouse to the other first requires a thorough understanding of the marriage itself.
Connecticut family law statutes list the following as factors to consider when calculating alimony:
- Length of the marriage
- Causes for the annulment, divorce, or separation
- Age, relative health, and specific needs of each spouse
- Station, occupation, and vocational skills of each spouse
- Amount and sources of income and the earning capacity of each spouse
- Education and employability of each spouse
- Estate of each spouse, and the award granted in the divorce
Keep in mind that alimony payments are not permanent once calculated. If you have reason to believe you should be receiving more, or paying less, you can use a motion for modification. Altering a court order is inherently difficult and should be pursued with the help of a family law attorney.
Goldblatt, Marquette & Rashba, PC and our New Haven divorce lawyers are here to assist you with all your family law matters, from alimony to asset division. If you have questions about how to settle a spousal support dispute, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We are always happy to speak with new and returning clients.
Contact us today to speak with a skilled attorney!
Blog Author: Attorney Richard C. Marquette
Richard C. Marquette is the managing partner at Goldblatt, Marquette & Rashba, PC With 30+ years of experience, he's ready to help you.
Visit his bio to learn more about how he became an award-winning Connecticut attorney.
More Blogs By Attorney Richard C. Marquette: