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Why does standard of living affect the amount of alimony?

On Behalf of | Jul 27, 2015 | Divorce

Alimony is a common issue that couples discuss when they make the decision to get divorced. In some marriages, there is one spouse who earns a higher wage than the other, especially in cases where one spouse has decided to stay at home and support the family instead of working a full-time job. Like many legal matters, in order for someone to receivealimony, there is a process that must be followed before courts can order someone to make these payments to their former spouse.

When the courts decide to award someone’s former spouse alimony, there are a number of factors that are examined. One of the common factors courts will look at is the standard of living the couple maintained during their marriage. The reasoning for this is becausespousal supportmay be awarded to decrease or limit the negative financial effects of the divorce. These effects may often be experienced by the spouse with the lower wage, so it is not uncommon for that spouse to be awarded alimony.

Even though one spouse earns less than the other, this does not necessarily mean that they will be awarded alimony if the couple divorces. With the couple’s standard of living only being one of the factors that is examined, alimony is not something that is guaranteed. This also doesn’t mean that if they are awarded alimony the payments will continue for the rest of their life. Depending on what the judge decides, someone may only receive support for a short period of time.

If you are going through a divorce and are interested in requesting alimony, a Texas divorce attorney might be able to assist with the process. You may be used to a certain standard of living and just because the marriage has ended you do not need to change how you live.

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