Spousal Support Lawyers Chicago

Spousal Support Lawyers Chicago

While spousal support no longer has a place in nearly every divorce (the way it once did), it remains an important financial tool that courts use to help adjust for financial imbalances brought on by different aspects of divorce. If you have questions or concerns related to spousal support, which is also known as alimony or maintenance, turn to an experienced spousal support lawyer in Chicago today. 

Categories of Spousal Support

In Illinois, there are three categories of spousal support available, including:

• Temporary support, which is intended to help the recipient maintain the financial status quo while his or her divorce is pending
• Rehabilitative support, which is part of the final divorce orders and can be for whatever period of time the court deems necessary for the recipient to become financially independent through good faith efforts, such as via further education or job training (this can include an indefinite period with periodic reviews)
• Permanent support, which is generally reserved for those recipients who are unable to support themselves post-divorce (due to their age, their responsibility for a disabled child, their own mental or physical disability, or anything else)

The Determining Factors

The factors that go into the court’s decision of whether or not spousal support is appropriate – and if so, the amount and duration – include:

• The length of the couples’ marriage
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• Each spouse’s physical and mental health status
• Each spouse’s income, including any disability or retirement income
• Each spouse’s individual assets, including any separate property and the division of marital property each receives (along with attendant tax consequences)
• Each spouse’s need for financial support post-divorce
• Each spouse’s realistic earning potential (now and into the future)
• Any contributions the recipient of spousal support made to the family during the marriage that negatively affected his or her ability to earn (such as staying home to take care of the children, being a full-time homemaker, and more)
• The recipient’s contributions to the other’s education and/or career-building during the marriage
• The amount of time the recipient would need to obtain the education, experience, or job training necessary to become financially independent
• Any contractual agreements made between the parties related to spousal support (such as in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement)
• Any other factors that the court deems relevant to the issue of spousal support in the case at hand

In other words, there is a lot to consider, and spousal support is very specific to the unique circumstances of the unique divorce in question.  

It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Spousal Support Lawyer in Chicago

The skilled spousal support lawyers at WARD FAMILY LAW in Chicago are well acquainted with the complexities of spousal support cases and are well-positioned to skillfully advocate for your financial rights in the matter. We are here to help and on your side, so please don’t wait to contact us today for more information about what we can do for you.