What is Spousal Support?
Spousal support is money that is designed to support one’s separated or former spouse to help that person establish financial independence. Not everyone who gets a divorce receives spousal support.
Types of Spousal Support
Temporary Spousal Support
Temporary Spousal Support is usually awarded while parties are separated and undergoing the divorce process. Temporary support’s primary purpose is to ensure that both parties can met their immediate needs while the divorce process is ongoing.
Rehabilitative Spousal Support
Rehabilitative spousal support is given for a certain amount of time. This form of spousal support is designed to help a person get reestablished financially after a divorce. For example, a stay-at-home spouse may need job training or education in order to return to the workforce.
Permanent Spousal Support
Permanent spousal support will be given to the recipient until the recipient or payee dies or the recipient remarries.
Lump-sum Spousal Support
Lump-sum spousal support is a fixed sum that is given at one time. It can be awarded in lieu of or in addition to either rehabilitative or permanent spousal support.
The following factors will determine if, what type, and how much support a potential claimant might receive.
- Immediate budgetary needs
- Length of the marriage
- Standard of living
- Individual contributions to the marriage
- Income of both parties
- Future parenting responsibilities
- Mental and physical health of both parties
- Professional capacity
- Whether fault grounds such as adultery or abuse are involved
- Whether a spouse misused or secreted family assets as the parties’ marriage was deteriorating
How Sharon K. Lieblich can Help
Sharon K. Lieblich is a family law attorney who can help you navigate the nuances of spousal support in Northern Virginia. Sharon has been practicing family law for over fifty years and can provide thoughtful advice and counsel on support issues. Sharon’s experience and expertise allow her to be sensitive to each case and recognize the appropriate course of action, whether a client wishes to seek spousal support or seeks to enforce and/or modify a previous support award.
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