Spousal support, which is also known as alimony, involves support of a former spouse by the other partner during or after a divorce. Who receives alimony, how much, and for how long can depend on a variety of factors, including whether or not the recipient is employed or receiving benefits from a previous spouse. This support can be short-term or long-term and can be for rehabilitation or reimbursement. Spousal support varies according to the state laws, and it is important to get legal advice from Hoffman Estates spousal support attorneys.
Rehabilitation
The spouse who earns more money is expected to support the other spouse until he or she finds work. There is a tangible time frame given to this kind of support, which can be up to three years in some cases. There may be a number of reasons this rehabilitation can be extended. Contacting Hoffman Estates spousal support attorneys can help you extend the time frame or deal with an unfair extension of this type of support.
Temporary Support
The lower earning spouse is given temporary spousal support for the amount of time it takes the divorce to be settled. The higher earning partner agrees to pay a certain amount, and this agreement is signed. These payments may be tax deductible once they begin. Not surprisingly, both spouses may disagree over the amount that is going to be paid. These conflicts can lengthen the amount of time the divorce takes, so it is a good idea to have a preliminary agreement about temporary support before filing.
Reimbursement
The idea behind reimbursement spousal support is that the low-earning or non-earning spouse left the workforce because of the marriage or child-rearing responsibilities. This means the earning spouse must pay not only for support of the former spouse during a long time frame but should also pay for education and training. To obtain reimbursement or contest a demand for reimbursement support, finding the right lawyer is essential. Hoffman Estates spousal support attorneys can answer any questions about reimbursement support and other issues.