Though divorce is sometimes necessary to benefit the family as a whole, it can be fiscally taxing. When one spouse is unemployed or underemployed, the financial future can seem daunting.
Alimony is a solution to avoid imposing a financial hardship unfairly on a spouse due to the end of the marriage. However, spousal support is a complex matter. Alimony can be calculated unpredictably by the courts and involve many varying factors. Additionally, the topic of spousal support can spark intense emotional reactions on top of the strenuous divorce process.
A knowledgeable Salt Lake City, Utah alimony attorney can protect your best interests. Emy A. Cordano, Attorney at Law, has extensive experience navigating the pitfalls in alimony proceedings that leave countless former spouses paying too much or receiving too little. The success of your legal representation is entirely dependent on the skills of your attorney. Consult Emy Cordano today to secure your financial future by clicking here or calling (801) 901-8159 for a consultation.
How Does A Spouse Qualify For Alimony In Utah?
In Utah, spousal support is gender-neutral and either spouse can request alimony during the divorce process. When deciding the type, amount, and duration of support, the factors to consider are:
- Can the paying spouse maintain their financial independence while supporting the former spouse?
- What are the actual economic needs of the supported spouse?
- Is the supported spouse the custodial parent of children that require child support?
- What is the supporting spouse’s earning capacity?
- Did the supported spouse lose any work experience, skills, or other potential earnings while caring for the children of the marriage?
- How long was the couple married?
- Did the supported spouse work in or own a business operated by the paying spouse?
- Did the supported spouse contribute to the higher income of the paying spouse by way of education, job training, etc.?
- Was there any marital misconduct that caused the dissolution of the marriage?
Marital misconduct, or fault, is taken into consideration in limited circumstances. The following situations may hold more weight if the end of the marriage is a result of:
- Adultery
- Spousal abuse
- Child abuse & Others
Speak to Emy A. Cordano, Attorney at Law, an experienced alimony lawyer, to discuss your options.
What Affects The Duration Of Alimony In Utah?
In many cases, spouses are primarily concerned with the length of time alimony will be paid. While many states have temporary or permanent alimony, Utah does not. Instead, a judge may award alimony temporarily during the divorce, then adjust the length afterward. A judge can order spousal support to be paid no longer than the length of the marriage.
How Can Spousal Support In Utah Be Terminated?
Usually, if the supported spouse remarries, alimony is automatically terminated. However, when a supported spouse does not remarry but begins to live with a new partner, the paying spouse can submit a request to terminate alimony. This is tricky and complicated and Emy is an expert in navigating the process of terminating alimony. You have one shot at this and it’s critical to do this the right way.
Can Alimony Ever Be Modified?
Alimony may be modified if and when there is a substantial material change in circumstances. The paying spouse or the supported spouse may request a review and modification of alimony and present evidence.
If you have undergone a significant economic change and need to modify your spousal support order, call a Salt Lake City spousal support attorney today.
How a Salt Lake City Alimony Lawyer Can Help Your Case
At the offices of Emy A. Cordano, Attorney at Law, our talented staff are dedicated to achieving the best results for our clients. An alimony attorney in Salt Lake City can help you maintain your current lifestyle, secure your economic future, and protect your rights.
Whether you anticipate paying or receiving, or are currently paying or receiving spousal support, call Emy Cordano to discuss your best solution. You can contact us by clicking here or call us at (801) 901-8159 for a consultation.