Spousal Support

Marriages and relationship have changed over the past few decades, with more now unfortunately ending in divorce. While this is often a difficult time for any couple, courts and states have put many measures in place to protect the interests of both spouses and their children. Arizona is one state which offers the option of spousal support in unique situations. If you are going through a divorce proceeding and have questions regarding spousal support, contact an experienced family law attorney today.

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Arizona Divorce

Divorce not only involves the splitting up of a relationship, but also the division of assets acquired during the marriage. Arizona is a community property state, and therefore all assets acquired during the marriage are subject to an equitable division. This is often beneficial to many couples where one spouse is the primary worker and the other spouse is a homemaker. The division of assets will ensure that the non-working spouse is compensated based on the worth of the marital estate assets. However, sometimes this division of assets is not enough to compensate the other spouse, and courts will then look to the option of spousal support.

Spousal Support Factors

Spousal support, also called alimony, is only awarded in certain situations where courts are unable to guarantee that one spouse will receive enough compensation after the dissolution of marriage. A court will consider the following in awarding spousal support:

• Length of the marriage
• Career or career opportunity of both spouses
• Education of both spouses
• Physical disabilities

Arizona courts may award varying degrees of spousal maintenance: temporary, permanent, or compensatory. Permanent spousal support is very rare for courts to award, and is often only awarded due to the age of the spouse or a physical disability. Temporary, or rehabilitative, support, is the most common type of spousal support in Arizona. Temporary spousal support provides support to the spouse for a set period of time, typically a period that would allow the spouse to gain an education or land a career that would enable them to be self-sufficient. Compensatory spousal support is becoming increasingly more common as young adults face the burden of student loan debt. Compensatory spousal support requires one souse to award support to the other spouse who assisted with their education, including the repayment of student loans.

An experienced Arizona divorce attorney can assist you in determining whether you are eligible to receive spousal support and the amount you are entitled to receive.

Viles Law Firm | Phoenix, Arizona Divorce Lawyer

If you are going through a divorce and believe you are entitled to receive spousal support after the dissolution, or you have questions regarding your requirement to pay spousal support, do not hesitate to contact the attorneys of the Viles Law Firm. Our firm has been in existence for 18 years and we have extensive experience in handling divorce cases, including instances of spousal support. After decades of marriage, you should be entitled to receive ongoing support in certain situations. However, very few circumstances will lead to permanent spousal support, and our attorneys will assist you in determining whether your situation fits within the spousal support guidelines. Contact our Phoenix, Arizona office today for your initial free consultation.