Rockville Alimony Attorneys

What are the different types of alimony payments?

Montgomery County authorizes three different types of alimony awards:

• Alimony pendente lite (aka, alimony during litigation). Maryland recognizes that some people try to use their financial advantage to force their ex-spouse into an unreasonable and unfair settlement. Alimony pendente lite is a temporary alimony award that requires your spouse to pay you a sum of money that will help preserve the status quo during the pendency of the divorce litigation.
• Transitional alimony. This is a short-term payment by your spouse to help you get an education, acquire a license so you can work, or learn a trade. The payments generally last a few years, up to ten. It is used for tuition, books, daycare expenses if you have children, transportation costs, and other expenses that may come with learning marketable skills.
• Indefinite alimony. This long-term payment is for spouses who may not be able to earn a sufficient living because of a disability, because the spouse gave up a career to take care of the home, or for other reasons. The award of alimony continues until the party receiving alimony remarries or dies. It is the rarest of all alimony awards.

The person paying alimony may be able to reduce or end indefinite alimony if he or she is legitimately unable to work, for health or other valid reasons, but modifications take skill and finesse. If you are seeking to modify your support order, we may be able to help.

What factors are used to decide Montgomery County alimony?

Because alimony is never guaranteed, there are multiple factors which could influence a judge to award or deny support. Some of those factors include:

• The resolution of the equitable division dispute
• The length of the marriage
• The financial fortunes or misfortunes of both spouses
• How old each person is
• The education level of each party
• The ability of each spouse to earn a living
• Why the couple is divorcing
• The physical, mental, and emotional abilities of each person
• Whether retirement benefits are available

Alimony can be negotiated between the lawyers or mediators, depending on a person’s needs. Generally speaking, a family court judge will agree to virtually any plan, as long as it is legal. This is why you need a skilled attorney by your side, during the initial negotiations and the review process.