Divorce

Spousal and Child Support

Spousal support is called alimony or maintenance in some states. Either you or your spouse may be entitled to spousal support depending on your income and property, your standard of living, your financial needs, and the circumstances leading to the divorce. If you and your spouse are unable to agree on support, a judge will decide who should pay it, how much is to be paid, and how long it will continue. The judge may award spousal support until the receiving spouse is self supporting or until death or remarriage.

You and your spouse are both responsible for the support of your children. If you cannot agree on child support, the court will apportion the responsibility based on custody, your incomes, financial resources and other obligations.

In some cases, you and your spouse may go back to the court in later years to ask the judge to increase or reduce the spousal or child support. However, you must be able to show that there has been a change in financial resources or needs.