Somerset County Alimony Lawyer
Marriage is not a decision most people take lightly, and neither is the difficult choice to separate and pursue divorce. When divorce enters the picture, there are a number of important considerations that must be addressed, which includes the distribution of assets and alimony.
Spousal support could have a significant impact on your finances and your overall well-being, so it is important to understand your alimony rights and learn how to assert and advocate for them. You do not have to navigate the legal challenges alimony may present on your own.
A Somerset County alimony lawyer could work with you to protect your rights and help you understand more about how alimony might impact you. If retained, a well-practiced family attorney could assist with creating a mutually beneficial arrangement with your spouse or partner.
Understanding Alimony
The purpose of alimony is to ensure that each spouse can continue to enjoy the same—or at a minimum a similar—standard of living relative to what they experienced throughout their marriage. While spousal support may be granted after a marriage of any length, it is typically granted for longer periods of time after long-term marriages dissolve.
Alimony can also play an important role in negotiations over a divorce settlement, and it may be a complex issue even when it is addressed in a prenuptial, a postnuptial, or any other marital agreement. If both parties are unable to determine spousal support, it falls to a court to decide on a reasonable amount of time a spouse is required to pay alimony. An experienced attorney could help individuals negotiate with the other party to determine an appropriate amount for alimony payments.
While many states have a preset formula to determine both when alimony is appropriate and how much alimony should be awarded, New Jersey does not. Courts in New Jersey look at each individual set of circumstances to help determine an appropriate alimony agreement, a fact which may underscore the potential importance of having an alimony attorney in Somerset County represent each particular party’s best interests.
Common Factors in Determining Spousal Support
As defined by New Jersey Revised Statutes § 2A:34-23, there are a few factors a court may consider in determining alimony. These could include:
- The actual need for alimony and a party’s ability to pay
- The length of the marriage
- The physical and emotional health of each party
- The age of each party
- The length of absence of one spouse from the job market
It may important to work with a skilled attorney from Somerset County who understands nuances in alimony law and could employ a thorough and dynamic approach to alimony negotiations.
Speak with a Somerset County Alimony Attorney
While pursuing and negotiating alimony can be intimidating, taking a proactive approach to the challenges an alimony agreement may present could help you face post-marriage maintenance issues with more confidence and understanding. Being prepared for how alimony might impact you and your family could be an important part of achieving a fair and reasonable alimony agreement.
If you have questions about the alimony process or how it might factor into your divorce, contact a dedicated Somerset County alimony lawyer to explore all your legal options. Call today to get started on an agreement that works best for you and your family.
