South Carolina Alimony Attorneys
Many factors are considered in awarding alimony
The Family Court can award alimony to either party. The fault of a spouse in causing a divorce may be a bar to the receipt of spousal support or alimony by that spouse. Spousal support may be paid as one lump sum, as monthly permanent, periodic payments, or as a defined term of payments as rehabilitative support for a spouse.
In deciding whether to award alimony, a court will generally consider such factors as the following:
- Duration of the marriage, including the ages of spouses at time of marriage and at time of divorce
- Physical and emotional condition of each spouse
- Educational background of each spouse together with need of each spouse for additional training or education in order to achieve that spouse's income potential
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- Employment history and earning potential of each spouse
- Standard of living established during marriage
- Current and reasonably anticipated earnings of both spouses
- Current and reasonably anticipated expenses and needs of both spouses
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- Marital and non-marital properties of each spouse
- Custody of the children
- Marital misconduct or fault of either spouse
- Tax consequences of support award
- Existence and extent of support obligation from a prior marriage
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A court can order temporary maintenance while the divorce is pending. A final award can be modified only upon a showing of a "substantial change in circumstances."
Contact The Bleecker Law Firm, LLC today to discuss your South Carolina family law, divorce, mediation, and related probate litigation questions. We practice in all South Carolina family courts.
