If you are thinking about ending your marriage, you are probably wondering how you will be able to support yourself after the divorce and whether you will be entitled to spousal support. Hopefully, this post helps answer those questions for you.

In Alabama, spousal support can be agreed upon by the divorcing parties, or it can be ordered by the judge presiding over the divorce. The goal of spousal support is for both parties to keep the standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage, if possible.

Spousal support can also be temporary or permanent in nature. Temporary, or rehabilitative, alimony is more likely to apply when the party receiving payments just needs some extra support while he or she gets back into the workforce. Permanent alimony is more likely to apply when one spouse is unlikely to ever return to employment.

When deciding if and what type of alimony should apply, the court considers many factors such as the length of the marriage, the age and health of both parties, the work history of both parties, and the marital standard of living.

Keep in mind that alimony is not a right, and no one is automatically entitled to it. In order to receive alimony, it will be up to you (with your attorney’s help) to prove that you deserve alimony and that your spouse is able to pay it.

In order to determine if you might be entitled to spousal support, it’s best to talk with an attorney about your specific situation. Even if you haven’t made a final decision about getting divorced, knowing more what to expect after a divorce can be very helpful in your decision-making and planning.

You can also find out more information about spousal support and other aspects of divorce on our website, here.