Queen Anne's County Alimony Lawyer

Assisting Clients With Spousal Support Matters in Maryland

When spouses divorce, one must generally provide financial support for the other for a specified length of time. In some cases, the court may award alimony during the divorce process, after it is finalized, or both.

At Matthew Penick Law on Kent Island, we can help ensure your alimony payments are fair to your financial situation. Our Queen Anne's County alimony attorney has more than a decade of experience helping clients overcome some of the most difficult legal matters, so they can move forward and begin a new chapter in life.

Contact Matthew Penick Law today at (410) 618-0863 to set up a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you!

How Is Alimony Calculated in Maryland?

When determining spousal support, the court will assess if one spouse needs help and if the other can pay. If the court recognizes a need for support, a judge will examine several factors when determining how much and for how long alimony should last.

Here are some of the factors a judge will evaluate:

• The supported spouse’s ability to become self-sufficient or partly self-sufficient
• The amount of time needed for the supported spouse to find gainful employment
• The duration of the marriage
• The standard of living during the marriage
• The circumstances behind the decision to divorce
• The age, mental, and physical condition of both spouses
• Each spouse’s contributions to the wellbeing of the family, both economic and noneconomic
• The paying spouse’s ability to stay financially independent while making alimony payments

There are no specific formulas for calculating alimony in Maryland. Judges have a vast amount of discretion when it comes to weighing these factors and rendering a decision.

How Often Will I Pay or Receive Alimony in Maryland?

Based on the aforementioned factors, a judge will determine how often one will pay or receive alimony. These payments can be monthly, bi-weekly, semi-annually, or even a lump-sum. Unless you and your spouse agree on the frequency of alimony payments, a judge will make this decision for you.

If a paying spouse fails to make these payments, the supported spouse can ask the court to enforce the order, which may result in the paying spouse being charged with contempt, in addition to punishment fines and attorney fees. If the paying spouse’s financial circumstances substantially changed, the court may modify the support order to accommodate these changes.

Can You Keep Alimony if You Remarry?

If there isn't a formal arrangement that alimony will proceed until you remarry, then yes. Staying single for the remainder of the alimony payout period is an absolute requirement for continuing to receive alimony payments. As a result of your remarriage, your payments will stop, even though they were supposed to continue for a few more years.

Is Alimony Only for Wives?

No, it's not true. A court may grant alimony to any side in a divorce case under the Equal Rights Amendment.

Can an Equal Income Spouse Receive Alimony?

You are most likely ineligible for alimony. You are self-sufficient, and since your and your spouse's income levels are comparable, a court is unlikely to grant alimony.

Contact Our Queen Anne's County Alimony Attorney for Guidance

If you are ending your marriage, then the team at Matthew Penick Law in Queen Anne’s County can help you navigate the many issues involved in this harrowing process, including alimony.

Our alimony attorney has more than a decade of experience in the field and will help you achieve the results that best suit your circumstances. We understand how difficult this experience is, which is why we pride ourselves on providing skilled and compassionate legal guidance for family law issues.

Ready to discuss your alimony concerns? Contact us online or call (410) 618-0863 for a complimentary consultation with our dedicated alimony attorney in Queen Anne's County.