Anne Arundel County Spousal Support Attorney
If you are going through a divorce, you may be wondering if you will have to pay or receive spousal support. In Anne Arundel County, as in the rest of Maryland, spousal support is decided on a case-by-case basis. Thus, it is important to have an experienced Anne Arundel County spousal support attorney on your side to ensure that your rights are protected.
That said, there are some general things that you should know about alimony payment in Anne Arundel County. This way, you will have a better understanding of what to expect and how the process works.
Keep reading to learn more.
Overview of What an Anne Arundel County Spousal Support Attorney Does
Some people try to go through the spousal support process without an attorney, but this is generally not a good idea. This is particularly true if you are up against a difficult opponent who has their own lawyer.
As you’re going to find out, battling over spousal support can get pretty ugly, pretty fast. If you want to level the playing field, it’s important to have your own legal representation. Your Anne Arundel County spousal support attorney will:
- Help you understand your legal rights and options
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Negotiate with the other party’s attorney on your behalf
- Fight for a fair settlement
- Represent you in court, if necessary
Essentially, an Anne Arundel County spousal support attorney is there to help you every step of the way, from start to finish. They will do everything in their power to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome in your case. It’s important to have someone on your side who knows the ins and outs of Anne Arundel County spousal support law.
Legal Definition and Important Laws Regarding Spousal Support in MD
Under Maryland law, spousal support is defined as payments made from one spouse to the other for support and maintenance. These payments can be made in a lump sum or on a regular basis, such as monthly.
One of the important laws regarding spousal support in Maryland is that it can be awarded to either spouse, regardless of gender. In the past, only wives could receive spousal support. However, times have changed and now husbands can receive support as well.
Another important law to know is that there is no hard and fast rule as to how much spousal support will be awarded. The amount of spousal support will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Factors that the court will consider when determining the amount of spousal support include but are not limited to:
- The length of the marriage
- The financial needs of both spouses
- The standard of living that was established during the marriage
- The earning capacity of both spouses
- The age and health of both spouses
- The contributions that each spouse made to the marriage (such as being a stay-at-home parent)
Finally, it’s important to note that spousal support can be modified or terminated under certain circumstances. For example, if the recipient remarries, then the payments will usually stop.
What Are the Types of Spousal Support in Anne Arundel County?
There are three main types of spousal support in Anne Arundel County. These are:
Temporary Alimony
As the name suggests, temporary alimony is designed to provide financial support to a spouse during the divorce process. Once the divorce is finalized, the payments will stop.
Typically, temporary alimony will be awarded if one spouse earns significantly more money than the other. For example, if one spouse is a stay-at-home parent and the other is a high-powered attorney, then the stay-at-home parent may be awarded temporary alimony. This way, they will have enough money to live on while the divorce is pending.
Rehabilitative Alimony
Rehabilitative alimony is designed to help a spouse become self-sufficient after a divorce. Typically, this type of alimony will be awarded to a spouse who is unable to support themselves financially after the divorce.
For example, if a stay-at-home parent gets divorced and has no job or income, they may be awarded rehabilitative alimony. This type of alimony can be used to pay for things like job training or education. The goal is to help the spouse become self-sufficient so that they can eventually support themselves.
Indefinite Alimony
Indefinite alimony is exactly what it sounds like – payments that are made on an ongoing basis with no end date in sight. Typically, this type of alimony will be awarded in long-term marriages where one spouse is unable to support themselves financially.
For example, if one spouse is elderly or has a disability, they may be awarded indefinite alimony. This way, they will have the financial support they need for the rest of their life.
How Long Do You Have to Be Married to Get Alimony in Maryland?
Typically, a judge will decide whether or not to award alimony on a case-by-case basis. However, there are some general guidelines that judges typically follow. For example, a judge will award alimony to a spouse who is unable to support themselves financially, provided they were legally married at the time of divorce. Your attorney can give you a more specific estimate based on the facts of your case.
How Long Does Spousal Support Last in Maryland?
Again, a family judge will decide on the length of spousal support based on a number of factors, including but not limited to the length of the marriage and the financial needs of both spouses.
Many judges will award a year of alimony for every three years that the couple was married. So, if a couple was married for six years, the judge may award two years of alimony. However, this is just a general guideline, and each case is different.
Not that alimony may be discontinued or modified under certain circumstances. For example, if the recipient remarries, then the payments will usually stop.
How Does the Spousal Support Case Process Work in Maryland?
The process for getting alimony in Maryland can be long and complicated. First, you will need to file a petition for alimony with the court. This is where you will state your case and ask the judge to award you spousal support.
Once you have filed your petition, the other spouse will have an opportunity to respond. If they do not respond, then the judge may award you spousal support by default. However, if they do respond, then the case will go to trial.
At trial, both sides will present their evidence and argue their case. Once the judge has heard all of the evidence, they will make a decision on whether or not to award spousal support.
If you are awarded spousal support, then the payments will typically be made on a monthly basis. The amount of money that you receive will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to your financial need and the other spouse’s ability to pay.
How to Choose a Spousal Support Attorney in Anne Arundel County
If you are going through a divorce and need help getting alimony, then you should consider hiring an attorney. A competent attorney in Anne Arundel County can help you navigate the legal process and increase your chances of getting the alimony that you deserve.
When choosing an attorney, make sure that they have experience handling spousal support cases in Maryland. You can ask them about their experience during your initial consultation.
You should also make sure that you feel comfortable communicating with your attorney. This is important because you will need to share sensitive information with them about your marriage and finances.
Finally, you should make sure that you are able to afford their fees. Many attorneys charge by the hour, so you should make sure that you are able to afford their hourly rate before hiring them.
How a Spousal Support Attorney from Divorce With a Plan Can Help You
At Divorce With a Plan, we understand how difficult it can be to get the alimony that you deserve. We are a family law firm with a plan and have helped countless clients navigate the legal process and get the spousal support they need.
We will start by conducting a thorough review of your case. This will allow us to determine whether or not you are eligible for alimony. If you are, we will then work tirelessly to build a strong case on your behalf.
We will also gather evidence, interview witnesses, and do whatever it takes to help you get the best possible outcome in your case. While some lawyers choose to settle so as to end the case, we take a different approach. We create foolproof legal strategies guaranteed to work for you both now and in the future.
Contact Divorce With a Plan Today
Divorce can be a complex and emotional process, made all the more difficult when spousal support is involved. However, you don’t have to go through it alone. The knowledgeable and experienced team at Divorce With a Plan is here to help you every step of the way.
To schedule a consultation with our office, please contact us today.