Spousal Maintenance: Alimony in Arizona
SERVING THE YAVAPAI COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS
What is Spousal Maintenance/Spousal Support?
In Arizona, alimony is called “spousal maintenance” or “spousal support.” It is money one spouse pays to another to provide a safety net. The underlying principle behind spousal support is that each partner contributed something to increased earnings and an improved quality of life.
It’s important to keep in mind that spousal support and child support are two different things.
How is Spousal Support Ordered in Arizona?
The courts in Arizona can award spousal maintenance for a number of reasons. Here are some of them:
One spouse lacks sufficient property to provide for the spouse’s needs.
One spouse is unable to be self-sufficient through appropriate employment, which might be because of a child whose age or condition should not require the custodial parent to work outside the home.
One spouse made significant contributions, including financial help, to the other to improve the education, training, vocational skills, and other factors that allowed for a greater earning potential.
The marriage was of a long duration and the spouse is of an age that might preclude the possibility of earning a sufficient income.
One spouse’s income was significantly reduced, or career opportunities were sacrificed for the benefit of the other spouse.
The court will establish the amount of the spousal support and the duration it is to be received. It considers a lot of factors, like standard of living, duration of marriage, and comparative financial resources of each spouse.
The courts will take into consideration community property, retirement and pension plans, and other financial considerations. However, it does not take into account marital misconduct.
The goal is to ensure what one spouse pays and what the other spouse receives is reasonable.
How is Spousal
Maintenance Paid?
Hire an Experienced Family and Divorce Attorney
Getting divorced is difficult, but it should not lead to a financial crisis. Within the confines of the law, we at David M. Wilson Law utilize every available provision to help to establish fair and equitable spousal support or temporary alimony.
Financial issues often compound the already difficult process of separating your life with that of your spouse. This is why legal representation can be so critical.
You need an experienced and knowledgeable family attorney when court proceedings are unavoidable. You can count on more than 25 years of experience with David M. Wilson Law Office.
David M. Wilson Law is here to help you during difficult family law issues. We represent clients on either side of any family issue and do our best to help both parties live in peace and coexist.