Peoria Alimony Attorney

Who Will Pay Spousal Support After Divorce?

While spousal support or alimony payments may not be part of every divorce case, when it does factor into divorce negotiations and settlements, it needs to be taken very seriously. 

Alimony refers to a sum of money that one spousal party is required to pay to the other in order to maintain a particular standard of living that existed prior to the divorce. In cases where one of the spousal parties was the primary income earner in the relationship, the other spousal party is oftentimes expected to be compensated once the marriage is dissolved.

Get the legal support you need with a free consultation from a dedicated Peoria alimony attorney. Call (309) 948-5908 or contact us online today!

Types Of Alimony in Illinois

Depending on the circumstances, there may be short-term, long-term, or permanent support.

Temporary support

Occurs before the divorce is final. Temporary support is typically ordered to give a spouse the opportunity to become financially established, especially if that spouse stayed home during the marriage as the primary caregiver to children. 

However, it can be ordered for other reasons, as well. In many cases, temporary support terminates if the recipient becomes self-sufficient, cohabitates with another partner or remarries.

Permanent alimony

It is typically awarded when a marriage has lasted more than 15 years, when the recipient is financially dependent on the other spouse. Courts do not use a set formula in determining spousal support as they do when calculating child support. 

Your award could vary greatly, depending on your particular situation. Like other aspects of a divorce settlement, spousal support can be modified when circumstances change and the need arises.

With our Peoria spousal support lawyers by your side, you’ll have a strategic partner who understands the intricacies of Illinois alimony laws and can maximize your outcome.

Factors for Determining Alimony in Illinois

There are a number of factors that determine what kind of sum is to be paid to a former spouse as alimony payment. 

One of the most important factors in this process is the length of the marriage. In cases where the marriage has been short, it might be that no alimony payments need to be paid. Longer marriages suggest that one party may be at a financial disadvantage post-divorce. In these cases, alimony payments are likely to be significant.

Additionally, the standard of living experienced during marriage is another important factor. Other factors that also weigh in are the financial status of both parties, the earning capabilities of both parties and the contribution that each party made to the marriage.

McCall Law Offices, P.C. has extensive experience in dealing with the legal framework that surrounds divorce in Peoria and the state of Illinois. Hiring a capable Peoria divorce lawyer to represent you could provide you with stronger footing as you enter spousal support negotiations.

Schedule your free legal consultation with a knowledgeable Peoria alimony attorney today! Call us at (309) 948-5908 or contact us online to get started.

How Long Does a Spouse Have to Pay Alimony?

Depending on the length of the marriage, the length of your alimony payment will be longer or shorter. Here is the marriage length

Five Years or Less

If you were married for fewer than five years, alimony is awarded for about 50 percent of the length of your marriage. So, for a five-year marriage, alimony could be available for 30 months or 2.5 years. Need, obligation, and health are also considered.

10 to 20 Years

In this instance, if one party provides a need, the duration of assistance can go up incrementally depending on the judge. For example, if you were married for 15 years, spousal support might last for 60 to 70 percent of your marriage length. Therefore, support could last for as long as 10.5 years.

20 Years or Longer

Spousal support can be indefinite or until retirement/remarriage. This means one spouse would continue to support the other until retirement age, depending on circumstances.

Modifying Spousal Support

Circumstances can change after a spousal support order is established, making it necessary to modify the agreement. Common reasons for modification include changes in income, employment status, or significant life events such as remarriage or retirement. 

If you believe a modification is warranted, our Peoria alimony attorneys can assist you in filing a petition with the court to request a change to your spousal support order.

Why Work With Our Team?

Negotiating alimony settlements can be difficult without the help of an experienced attorney. McCall Law Offices, P.C.' skilled Peoria spousal support lawyer, who has 10 years of experience handling family law cases, has the expertise and knowledge that is needed to increase the likelihood that a mutual understanding and settlement can be reached between two divorcing spouses. 

Our experienced Peoria family law lawyer will do everything possible to protect your best interests. Our firm has a long history of successful results for our clients. Go here to see our case results. In recognition of his skills, Attorney McCall has received various awards, such as:

• Avvo Client's Choice Award in 2013
• Avvo Superb Rating for family law and divorce
• Super Lawyers® listing among Rising StarsSM for 2 years in a row
• American Society of Legal Advocates listing among the Top 40 Under 40, an honor bestowed on less than 2% of the lawyers in the U.S.

Contact a Peoria Divorce Lawyer at Our Firm!

Determining spousal support arrangements can be extremely tricky, considering the fact that both parties are always looking to protect their own interests. Having experienced legal representation on hand will ensure that you receive or pay only the appropriate amount of compensation. 

By hiring the right Peoria family law attorney, you can make divorce matters significantly easier. Our firm believes that dedication, experience, and results matter, and that family matters must be handled with compassion, competence, and honesty. 

Don’t navigate spousal support issues alone. Reach out now to speak with a Peoria alimony lawyer! Call (309) 948-5908 or fill out our online form for your free consultation.