How Long Is Alimony Going To Last?
Posted on: 25 July 2018
If you're in a position where you're going to be paying alimony after your divorce, you may be wondering how long it's going to last. Many alimony-related laws and restrictions are decided on a state-by-state basis, but there are some factors that will always play in.
Short-Term Divorces Are Different from Long-Term Divorces
Every state has different definitions of what short-term and long-term means, but most of them do establish a difference. If your marriage was very short, it's possible you don't need to pay alimony at all. If your marriage was under about ten years in length, then alimony usually isn't going to last longer than about half that. A marriage of 10 years would not have alimony longer than 5 years. It is when you get into long-term marriages (such as marriages over 20 years) that alimony tends to be permanent.
Alimony May End Upon Remarriage
Alimony is generally only intended to last as long as your ex-spouse does not remarry. If your ex-spouse does remarry, then there's no reason for you to be paying alimony; it's accepted that their new spouse will be providing financially for them instead. This is usually true regardless of how much the new spouse makes, as your ex-spouse is making the decision to remarry.
Alimony Could End Upon Rehabilitation
Some states only offer alimony up until the point that your ex-spouse has regained their earning potential. Consider a spouse who quit their $40,000 a year job to stay at home with the children. You might be ordered to pay alimony while they are working a $20,000 job but be allowed to stop paying alimony if they start making $40,000 again. Of course, if your ex-spouse is determined not to rehabilitate themselves, you may need to discuss the issue in court.
Alimony Could End Upon Reimbursement
Another form of alimony is reimbursement alimony. Consider a spouse who paid $20,000 to put you through college. You could be ordered to pay alimony up until you've paid them back for that expenditure.
As you can see, alimony isn't very clear cut. It isn't always just a stipend that you have to send to someone permanently, but it can become one. As alimony is a very serious financial consideration, it's important to engage the services of a family law attorney as soon as possible. They will be able to tell you what is fair and equitable.
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