At a certain point, you may feel that the only thing keeping you in your marriage is the uncertainty of what life might look like post-divorce. You may be a stay-at-home spouse or make significantly less money than your spouse. Considering what your financial situation would look like on your own can be nerve-wracking.
Here are a few things to know about alimony in Maryland.
Pendente Lite Alimony payments can start before your divorce is final
While not a guarantee in every divorce, Maryland does award temporary alimony, or spousal support, in certain situations. In some cases, you may be eligible to start receiving alimony shortly after you’ve filed for divorce. This is called “alimony pendente lite” (or temporary alimony) and lasts until the divorce is finalized.
What factors determine Pendente Lite alimony?
Generally speaking, the court will consider several factors when deciding whether alimony is warranted. These factors include:
- Your current financial needs, taking into account the income and assets you have available to you (and the income and assets available to your spouse)
- Your ability to provide for yourself, given your age, any disabilities you may have, your level of education and your work history
- Any prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that’s in place that addresses the matter
In short, you shouldn’t be afraid to move forward with a divorce just because your spouse has a tight grip on the household finances. With legal guidance, you can address your financial concerns before you file and fully explore all the legal options at your disposal.