North Carolina Divorce FAQs: Alimony

All manner of issues contribute to the stress of a divorce. Many of these issues are financial. Alimony is one such matter. If you have any questions about your case, please do not hesitate to contact the Hopper Law Office. In the meantime, here are some common questions to which we provide the answer.

What is alimony? Alimony is another name for spousal support. Both alimony and spousal support mean payments made by one spouse to support the other.

What is palimony? Palimony refers to support payments made when an unmarried couple splits up. It is often for cases where there is an implied contract of support, such as a partner sacrificing a career to tend to the home.

What types of alimony are there in North Carolina? Alimony can be ordered to be paid all at once, or it can be a regular payment. Post-separation support covers payments made from the day of filing to the conclusion of the process. Alimony means the ongoing payments that are ordered from the time of the finalized divorce on.

What does a court look at before awarding alimony? A court will take a number of matters into account. These include any infidelity or marital misconduct in the case, the incomes and earning capacities of each spouse, and the duration of the marriage. A court will also look at the physical, emotional, and mental health of each spouse, and it will also take into account the standard of living the couple maintained while married. There are further financial and social factors involved, and of course, every situation is unique. To find out more, do not wait to contact an experienced divorce attorney in Raleigh.

How is alimony decided? There are no set guidelines for awarding alimony. There are too many different factors weighing in on each specific situation to create such general rules. Alimony depends on the circumstances of the divorce and of the couple. A short, childless marriage is unlikely to yield any alimony orders. If a spouse gave up a career to be a homemaker for years of marriage, then alimony may be ordered to assist that spouse to maintain a certain lifestyle, and if necessary, get further education and training.

Can alimony be changed? Court-ordered support can indeed be modified. This is possible when there are significant and lasting changes. Such new circumstances could include a new medical condition or the loss of a job.

As there are no hard and fast rules outlining how alimony or palimony will be awarded, it will be invaluable to have a skilled divorce attorney on your side. The right legal representation can mean all the difference in protecting your rights. If you need help modifying current support payments, we can help you this matter as well. Contact a qualified Raleigh divorce lawyer today!

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