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What is spousal support?

On Behalf of | Jul 26, 2018 | Family Law |

The end of a Nevada marriage can be traumatic on the parties. As they work to sort out the important matters of deciding who will take what property and where their children will live, they may feel the stresses that come with losing the financial security of breaking up a marital relationship. This can be especially true for individuals who stop working when they get married to raise their families.

To ensure that some individuals are not financially disadvantaged by the end of their marriages, courts can award spousal support. Spousal support is also called alimony and it is the payment of money from one party to a divorce to the other. It is commonly awarded when one person has a solid job that earns them income and the other either decreased their work or stopped working and does not have income to rely on as they transition out of their marriage.

Spousal support can last for a short period of time or it may be ongoing. A person who only needs a few months to get back into the job market may be awarded a short-term alimony award, while someone who suffers from a disability and cannot work may receive a much longer award. Courts look at many factors when setting support and, therefore, different cases may have different outcomes.

Providing for one’s self after a divorce can be tricky if a person has given up their work history to support their spouse and kids. Spousal support can help them bridge the gap between marriage and employment, so they do not suffer financially from their divorces. If you are going through a divorce, it would be wise to contact a family law attorney to discuss your situation.