Navigating through a divorce can often be a challenging and emotional process, and understanding the nuances of financial support, such as alimony, is crucial for both parties.
In Maryland, alimony, also referred to as spousal support, plays a pivotal role during and after divorce proceedings. Alimony refers to the financial aid and monetary assistance provided by one spouse to the other during or after the divorce. This blog post aims to shed light on temporary alimony and guide those who find themselves in the midst of divorce or contemplating it.
What Is Temporary Alimony?
Temporary alimony, also known as alimony pendente lite, is short-term financial support granted by the court to a financially dependent spouse during the divorce process. This type of support aims to make sure that both spouses are able to maintain a reasonable standard of living throughout the divorce process.
Understanding the different types of alimony in Maryland is essential as it can affect how you plan your life post-divorce. When the court awards temporary alimony, it is not an indication that permanent alimony will ultimately be awarded—it is solely for the duration of the divorce process.
Types of Alimony
In addition to temporary alimony, Maryland recognizes other types of alimony:
- Rehabilitative alimony: Rehabilitative alimony is a form of spousal support provided for a specific duration. During this time, the receiving spouse can pursue education or acquire skills to enhance their career prospects and become self-sufficient.
- Permanent alimony: Also referred to asindefinite alimony, this type of spousal support is awarded in situations where the recipient's age, disability, or illness renders it improbable for them to achieve financial independence or if the discrepancy in the standard of living between the spouses would be grossly unfair.
Despite common misconceptions, alimony can be granted to both husbands and wives. The determination of alimony takes into account various factors beyond just the identity of the spouse.
Furthermore, alimony can end due to a predetermined date agreed upon by both parties, the death of either party or if the recipient remarries.
Can Alimony Be Modified?
Alimony can be modified when there is a change in circumstance for either party.
Examples of changes in circumstances include but aren’t limited to:
- The paying spouse has a substantial decrease in income
- The paying spouse becomes injured, disabled, or permanently infirmed
- The paying spouse involuntarily loses employment
- The receiving spouse inherits substantial assets
- The receiving spouse’s expenses have been reduced significantly
Overall, there are various situations in which alimony may require modification. It is crucial to work with a lawyer in such instances.
How Is Alimony Determined in Maryland?
Several factors contribute to how alimony is determined in Maryland. Unlike child support, there is no set formula for alimony determination.
The court evaluates various aspects, including:
- The ability of the party seeking alimony to be wholly or partly self-supporting
- The time necessary for the party seeking alimony to gain education or training to find employment
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- The duration of the marriage
- Circumstances that contributed to the divorce
- Age, mental, and physical condition of both spouses
- The contributions, monetary and non-monetary, of each party to the well-being of the family
- The paying spouse's ability to remain financially independent while making alimony payments
The amount and duration of alimony awarded in a divorce case can vary and is ultimately determined by the court's discretion. Therefore, it is crucial to seek legal advice if you are contemplating filing for divorce or are already involved in divorce proceedings. An experienced alimony attorney can offer guidance on the alimony laws specific to Maryland and work to protect your rights.
Contact Our Alimony Lawyers
At a time when your future financial stability may be uncertain, understanding your rights and options regarding temporary alimony in Maryland is crucial.
If you are currently navigating a divorce and need advice on matters related to alimony, we encourage you to get in touch with our dedicated team at Matthew Penick Law. With over a decade of experience in handling such cases, we possess a wealth of knowledge and
compassion necessary to fully comprehend your unique circumstances. Our goal is to provide you with comprehensive guidance and work towards a favorable outcome on your behalf.
To learn more about how our team can assist you, get in touch with us online or call (410) 618-0863 to schedule your free initial consultation.