Charlotte North Carolina Alimony Attorney

Spousal support is financial assistance that one ex-spouse gives to another during legal separation or after divorce. In former years, spousal support was called alimony, but divorce court judges and attorneys will more frequently use the term spousal support.

Divorce court judges grant alimony awards less frequently than in previous decades. This is not to say that alimony is an extinct aspect of a divorce. However, it has become more difficult to prove that one spouse needs financial support.

If alimony is granted, it will usually be ordered in a lump sum payment or for a specified period.

If you believe that alimony will be an issue of contention in your divorce or legal separation, consult an experienced divorce lawyer who can help you understand the relevant legal issues and your rights and responsibilities concerning spousal support.

At Krusch & Sellers, P.A. in Charlotte, our North Carolina divorce attorneys offer dedicated legal representation to men and women throughout the Charlotte metro area. Our law firm focuses exclusively on family law, and our attorneys possess more than five decades of combined legal experience. To learn more about our law firm, call 704-315-2452 or send an e-mail to make an appointment.

Factors to Consider in Alimony or Spousal Support Cases

When considering whether to order alimony — or spousal maintenance — in a specific case, a North Carolina divorce court judge will consider the following factors:

• Did one spouse commit marital fault, such as an extramarital affair or abuse?
• Did one spouse waste marital assets, resulting in fewer assets for the spouses to share after the divorce?
• How long was the marriage?
• What are the spouses' educational and professional backgrounds?
• Do both spouses have a history of working outside the home?
• What type of lifestyle did the spouses enjoy during the marriage?
• Does one spouse need additional education or vocational training in order to enter the workforce?

Answers to these and other questions will have tremendous impact on a judge's decision about whether to order alimony (or spousal support) in a specific case.

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Decisions about alimony and spousal support are much more flexible than decisions about child support, and there is much more room for negotiation between the divorcing spouses.

If you have concerns about alimony, whether during a legal separation or as part of a divorce agreement, we encourage you to contact us at Krusch & Sellers to see how we can help. Our experienced divorce lawyers provide practical advice and protective legal representation.

To contact our Charlotte office, call 704-315-2452 or toll free 866-267-6809. Or, contact us online.