Financial support after a divorce, or alimony, is a hot button issue for many parties going through this process. Parties who are in a position to pay often do not want to, and parties who plan to request it often feel entitled to the support.
In either case, divorcing spouses can be at odds with each other and firmly resolute in their position. However, before you make up your mind about alimony, you should know what the law says about it.
Factors that affect alimony awards
Before Maryland courts award or deny requests for alimony, they will consider several factors, including:
- How long you were married
- The reasons why the marriage ended
- Each person’s age and health
- The marital standard of living
- Each person’s future financial situation
These elements will indicate whether there is a need for one person to receive alimony and whether the other party can pay it.
Generally speaking, alimony is for cases where a divorce would be significantly more devastating financially for one person. This situation can arise when one person left a career to stay home and was economically dependent on the other or if divorcing spouses will have vastly different resources after divorce.
Different types of alimony
If the courts award alimony, it can come in one of three forms:
- Money paid during the divorce to maintain status quo, called alimony pendente lite
- Money paid after divorce for a specific period, called rehabilitative alimony
- Alimony without an end date, called indefinite alimony
Each type of alimony serves different purposes. An indefinite order can be appropriate for parties who divorce after lengthy marriages and when one person’s age or health prevents them from ever being able to support themselves. Courts might order rehabilitative alimony in cases where one person left a career to stay home but could eventually become self-sustaining after receiving training or having time to find a job.
Every case is different
This information should help you understand what you can generally expect if you divorce in Maryland and have concerns about alimony.
However, every case is different. And outcomes vary based on the individuals involved and the method of reaching agreements. Keeping all this in mind can help you manage your expectations and work toward the resolution you deserve.