Your Rights To Spousal Support In A Virginia Divorce
Getting divorced in Virginia can bring about major financial changes. Wondering how you will make ends meet in the aftermath? Alimony may be able to help.
Otherwise referred to as spousal support in Virginia divorce proceedings, it can help you make the challenging financial adjustment to living alone. Our Virginia divorce attorney explains when alimony may be awarded and how it can help.
How Spousal Support Is Determined In A Virginia Divorce
Financial recovery from divorce is often difficult, particularly if you relied on your spouse’s income. Spousal support may be available and can help protect your financial security.
Spousal support is not awarded automatically in Virginia divorce cases. Instead, there are a variety of factors the judge considers in determining whether it is warranted. Under the Virginia Code, these include:
- How long you were married;
- The age and physical health of each spouse;
- Each party’s income, employment, and earning potential;
- Contributions to the family and household;
- Whether one spouse gave up a career or educational opportunities for the other.
Adultery also factors into alimony considerations. If your spouse spent marital funds in support of an affair, it could work in your favor in terms of both alimony and property division. However, if you were the one who committed adultery, the court is likely to deny your request for spousal support in a Virginia divorce.
How Getting Alimony Can Help You Recover From A Divorce In Virginia
Divorce is difficult both emotionally and financially. Alimony payments can help adjust to your sudden change in circumstances and play a major role in allowing you to enjoy the same type of lifestyle as you did while married.
In addition to determining whether you are entitled to spousal support in Virginia, there is also the question of the type of alimony awarded. Depending on your specific situation, you may be entitled to one of the following:
- Temporary alimony: This is available during your separation and can help make a more difficult time easier.
- Permanent alimony: Temporary alimony often turns into permanent payments. Permanent alimony lasts an indefinite period of time and is frequently awarded when a long-term marriage ends.
- Rehabilitative alimony: This provides spousal support for a specific period of time, such as while you find a job, go back to school, or otherwise gain the skills needed to reenter the workforce.
To Protect Your Rights To Alimony, Contact Our Experienced Virginia Divorce Attorney
Getting spousal support provides important help in financially recovering from a divorce in Virginia. However, alimony is not automatically ordered in divorce cases. To protect your rights to these payments and get the total amount you are entitled to, contact Schwartz Kalina, PLLC.
We provide caring support and trusted legal guidance to clients throughout Virginia and take the actions needed to protect their financial futures both during and after a Virginia divorce. To schedule a consultation with our experienced Virginia family lawyer, call or contact us online today.
Sources:
law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter6/section20-107.1/
loudoun.gov/114/Juvenile-Domestic-Relations-District-Cou
