Your Essential Guide to Alimony and Spousal Support in MIlton, GA
Divorce is trickier than you think. 630,000 couples got divorced in 2020, which is roughly one every minute.
This statistic may make you believe that divorce is straightforward. In reality, the process can be very long, and there are many things to negotiate. One important topic is alimony, which many people confuse with spousal support.
What are alimony and spousal support? What is alimony in Georgia like? How does a judge determine spousal support, and how can you receive it?
Hobson & Hobson, P.C is comprised of experienced alimony and spousal support attorneys in Milton that rely on our special litigation training and over 30 years of combined experience in alimony and spousal support cases to provide each client with an effective outcome while fighting for your parental rights. Contact us at 770-284-6153 or submit a contact form for us to contact you ASAP.
Answer these questions and you can conclude the divorce process in no time. Here is your quick guide.
30+ Years Combined Experience
Convenient [city] Location
Milton, Georgia Child Custody Attorneys
During a divorce, among the most significant concerns are the safety and future of the children and their sense of family. Some divorces can lead to intense custody battles between parents that can last for months. When a couple gets divorced in Georgia, a judge can help determine which custody outcome is likely to serve the family’s best interest.
At Hobson & Hobson, a family law attorney can help any divorcing parents in the Milton, Georgia, area resolve their custody conflicts.
30+ Years Combined Experience
Convenient [city] Location
The Basics of Alimony and Spousal Support
Spousal support is payments that one spouse makes to another spouse following a separation. The dependent spouse can use the money to cover their expenses, including housing and health care.
Spousal support is separate from child support. Our alimony and spousal support attorneys can help you navigate them both. Child support payments cover the expenses for the child of the separated couple, and the payments end once a child graduates from school.
A parent cannot use child support payments for their own needs. An ex-spouse can receive spousal support for the rest of their life or until they get a job or remarry. A judge may require child support but not spousal support, or vice versa.
Alimony and spousal maintenance are alternate terms for spousal support. The three terms are interchangeable with each other. You can use whatever term you are more comfortable with.
Types of Spousal Support
There are a few types of spousal support that one spouse may offer another. Section 19-6-3 of the Georgia Code provides the laws for temporary alimony. This is a type of alimony that one spouse receives during the divorce process.
A spouse needs to file paperwork and attend a hearing in order to receive temporary alimony. During the hearing, a judge will not examine the facts in the case. They will just examine why a spouse needs alimony and how much money they need for their expenses.
Permanent alimony is the type of alimony offered to a spouse at the end of the divorce process. Despite the name, someone can lose their alimony if they no longer need the money. The spouse who is paying the alimony can also request to reduce the amount of money they need to pay.
Lump-sum alimony is alimony that one spouse receives in a single cash payment. They may receive $100,000 as soon as the process concludes, but no further money.
Periodic alimony is alimony that a spouse receives every week, month, or quarter. A spouse may receive the same amount of money every time, or the money can vary.
Calculating Spousal Support
There is no calculator that Georgia judges use to determine alimony. However, they can examine several factors to decide if one spouse needs alimony and how much they should receive.
A judge will examine how much money and property each spouse has. A spouse who does not work and has little money is more likely to receive spousal support. A spouse who is financially dependent on their spouse to cover expenses is also more likely to receive support.
A judge will consider the standard of living that the couple had while they were married. Someone who was used to a high standard of living may receive money so they can return to that standard.
However, someone will not receive money just so they can live in luxury. They will receive as much money as they need to be comfortable.
If a spouse can acquire employment in a short period of time, a judge may refuse alimony. They may also allow the spouse to receive alimony for a few years, giving them enough time to find a job or receive job training.
The judge can also examine the circumstances of the divorce. A spouse who committed adultery or abandoned their family may be asked to pay alimony. A spouse is not required to pay alimony to another spouse who cheated on them, even if they need the money.
Ready to Get Started?
We can help. We can guide you through the consultation process starting with a scheduled call back from a member of our intake team. If you would prefer to speak directly and confidently with an attorney, a paid hour consultation is also available. To arrange a meeting, contact us today.
Ready to Get Started?
We can help. We can guide you through the consultation process starting with a scheduled call back from a member of our intake team. If you would prefer to speak directly and confidently with an attorney, a paid hour consultation is also available. To arrange a meeting, contact us today.
Contact Hobson & Hobson Today to Talk to
Experienced Spousal Support Alimony Lawyers in Milton, Georgia
Negotiating Spousal Support
Spousal support is not always a point of contention in a divorce. One spouse may agree to pay their ex, sometimes in exchange for physical property or child custody. Talk to your ex and see if you can come to an agreement with them about support payments.
If you want alimony, you should file documents with the court requesting it as soon as possible. Provide information related to your finances with your petition. You can include bank statements to show how much money you have and letters to describe your expenses.
If you want to contest alimony payments, you should respond to your spouse’s divorce petition with help from a lawyer. You must hand over financial documents if the judge asks for them.
But you should assert how and why you cannot pay spousal support. You can argue that you do not make a consistent amount of money, or that you have your own expenses you need to pay.
You can reach a settlement with your ex before you go to court. Communicate with them through lawyers and find a time where you can meet together. Consider lump-sum payments as an alternative to periodic payments.
Figuring Out Alimony and Spousal Support
Spousal support allows one spouse to cover their expenses after a divorce. A spouse can receive money during the divorce process, and they can get money afterward to maintain their standard of living.
A judge will examine all relevant factors, including the marital assets and the regular income of each spouse. The process of negotiating alimony begins early on, and you must enforce alimony payments if you are required to pay them.
Turn to an experienced alimony and spousal support lawyer so you get what you need. Hobson & Hobson helps families in the Atlanta area. Contact us today.
For legal assistance with Spousal Support, please contact our attorneys at Hobson & Hobson law firm.
