When two people go through a divorce, one spouse will likely suffer financially as a result. This is because married couples tend to be financially dependent on each other. If you are considering divorce but you are worried about the way that you will be negatively affected from a financial perspective, you must take the time to understand how spousal maintenance works.
Spousal maintenance, otherwise known as spousal support or alimony, is governed on a state level. Arizona takes a needs-based approach when deciding whether to award spousal maintenance to a spouse, meaning that the outcome will depend on your circumstances. The following is an overview of what you need to know if you want to gain spousal maintenance in Arizona.
What is spousal maintenance?
Spousal maintenance is a type of payment made between one divorced spouse to the other for a certain amount of time. The purpose of spousal maintenance is to provide financial stability for the person who is most financially vulnerable after a divorce. It is usually a temporary measure, and the spouse who is receiving the payments is expected to take steps to become financially independent over time.
Do all divorces lead to a spousal maintenance order?
Not all divorces require a spousal maintenance order. This is because in many cases, both spouses are able to move forward in life without suffering significantly from a financial perspective. Courts in Arizona will only order spousal maintenance to be paid if it can be proven that it is needed.
What are the criteria for gaining spousal maintenance in Arizona?
The courts will take into consideration whether the requesting spouse’s circumstances mean that they are entitled to spousal maintenance. If the spouse’s circumstances indicate that they are entitled to this form of financial support, the courts will then move on by considering the amount and the duration of the payments made.
This will be calculated by considering factors such as the income of each spouse, and the earning potential of each spouse in the foreseeable future.
If you want to ensure that you will be able to continue living a reasonable quality of life after you go through a divorce, you must plan ahead and understand all aspects of the law.