Spousal Support Lawyers Naperville

Spousal Support Lawyers Naperville

Spousal support refers to what you may think of as alimony, and it pertains to payments made by one divorcing spouse to the other – or by one divorced spouse to the other – in those divorce cases in which the divorce creates a financial discrepancy between the income of each spouse. While spousal support is not a concern in all divorces, it does play an important financial role in some. If you have questions or concerns about spousal support, it’s time to consult with an experienced spousal support lawyer in Naperville. 

Spousal Support

The goal of spousal support or maintenance in Illinois is to help balance each spouse’s financial situation (to the degree possible) post-divorce (and while the divorce is pending). The basic types of alimony awarded in Illinois include the following:

• Temporary spousal support is intended to help the spouse who is experiencing financial need maintain the financial status quo throughout the divorce process.
• Rehabilitative or fixed-term spousal support is intended to allow the recipient the financial assistance he or she needs while gaining the education, job skills, and/or experience necessary for him or her to gain financial independence post-divorce. 
• Permanent spousal support is generally reserved for those instances when the recipient is unable to gain financial independence post-divorce due to age, illness, or another factor (such as caring for a child with physical and/or mental disabilities who requires around-the-clock care and supervision).  

The Factors that Determine Spousal Support

The determination of spousal support is made on a case-by-case basis, but some of the basic factors that are taken into consideration in the decision-making process include:

• Each spouse’s earning potential and financial situation. 
• Each spouse’s reasonable expenses
• The length of the marriage
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• Each spouse’s age and overall health (both physical and emotional)
• The economic and noneconomic contributions that each spouse made to the marriage, including contributions such as staying home to take care of the children and run the household 
• Any economic losses either spouse encountered as a result of the marriage (such as giving up a career to support the other’s)
• Whether one spouse financially supported the other’s education during the marriage
• The tax consequences of the division of marital property in the divorce
• Any contractual agreements, such as a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, that addresses the matter of spousal support
• The amount of time the spouse requesting support would need to become more financially independent.
• Any other factor that the court deems relevant in the unique situation at hand

Ultimately, the court attempts to balance all the competing factors involved in making spousal support determinations. 

An Experienced Spousal Support Lawyer in Naperville Can Help

Cameron H. Goodman at Goodman Law Firm in Naperville is a practiced spousal support lawyer who recognizes the importance of your spousal support concerns and has the experience, legal insight, and dedication to help. For more information about how we can help you specifically, please don’t hesitate to reach out by contacting us today.