Joliet, IL Spousal Support Lawyers

Skilled Attorneys Addressing Spousal Maintenance in Joliet, Illinois Divorce Cases

Spousal support, also known as alimony or spousal maintenance, is an important issue in many Illinois divorce cases. One spouse may be required to provide financial support to the other after the dissolution of their marriage. Spousal support can be a complex issue, since one party may believe that they should receive support, but the other party may not want to make ongoing payments. An experienced divorce attorney can make sure issues related to alimony will be addressed correctly.

At Jordan Steele & Associates, LLC, our lawyers can help you understand whether you may need to address issues related to spousal support during your divorce. Whether you believe that you should receive alimony or are being asked to make payments to your spouse, we will explain how Illinois law applies to you, and we will work to find solutions that will protect your financial interests.

When Spousal Support May Be a Factor in a Divorce

During a divorce, the court may take steps to determine whether one spouse should receive maintenance. The financial circumstances of both spouses will be considered, including their ability to support themselves and any other relevant factors that may determine whether ongoing support will be necessary.

Spousal support may be requested in situations where one spouse may not be able to maintain a similar standard of living after the divorce based on the income they are able to earn. A person may also request support if they need financial assistance before they can become self-supporting. Common scenarios in which spousal support may be a factor include:

• One spouse was a homemaker during the marriage. A person who does not have experience working outside the home may not have the job skills or experience needed to find work and support themselves.
• One spouse may have sacrificed their career or education to support the other spouse's career or to focus on raising children or managing other family responsibilities.
• There is a significant income disparity between the spouses. In these cases, one spouse may need support to ensure that they can maintain the standard of living they had while they were married.

It is important to note that spousal maintenance is not automatically granted. The court evaluates each case individually, considering multiple factors before making a decision.

Factors Considered When Addressing Spousal Maintenance

When deciding whether to award spousal support, Illinois courts may consider several key factors, including:

• The length of the marriage: When a couple has been married for many years, spousal support is more likely to be awarded, especially if one spouse has been out of the workforce for an extended period or has contributed significantly to the home and family instead of their career.
• The financial and non-financial contributions of each spouse during the marriage: Courts may consider how each spouse contributed to the marriage, including any sacrifices made to benefit the other spouse, such as staying at home to care for children or supporting the other spouse's career.
• The recipient spouse's financial needs and ability to support themselves: If one spouse cannot meet their financial needs independently, they may be entitled to spousal support.
• The paying spouse's ability to pay: Courts will look at a person's income, assets, and overall financial situation to determine if they are capable of paying spousal support without compromising their own financial stability.
• The age and health of both spouses: These factors may inform the financial situation of both parties and determine whether one spouse may need support. For instance, a spouse who has health issues that may affect their ability to support themselves financially may be eligible to receive alimony payments.
• The recipient spouse's potential to become financially independent: The court may consider whether the recipient spouse can obtain the skills, education, or work experience needed to support themselves after the divorce.
• Any other relevant factors: The court may also take into account factors like custody arrangements for a couple's children, any history of domestic violence, or any other issues that may affect the financial situation of both parties.

If the court determines that spousal support is appropriate, or if spouses can reach an agreement in which one party will pay ongoing support to the other, the amount that will be paid will be calculated using a formula that takes the current income earned by both parties into account.

In most cases, spousal maintenance will be paid for a fixed amount of time, which is calculated based on the length of the couple's marriage. If the court decides it is appropriate, a spousal support award may be reviewable. In these cases, the court will review the details of the case after a certain amount of time to determine whether support should continue to be paid or whether it should be modified or terminated.

Contact Our Joliet, IL Spousal Maintenance Attorneys

Spousal support can have a significant impact on your financial future after your divorce. At Jordan Steele & Associates, LLC, our attorneys can help you determine whether you may be eligible to receive maintenance, or we can help you respond to requests to pay spousal support. We will work to ensure that you can protect your financial interests and maintain stability after your divorce has been finalized. Contact our Joliet alimony lawyers at 872-314-0080 to arrange a free consultation.