Alimony is an important part of many divorce cases. It gives a lesser-earning spouse an opportunity to have a higher income for a short amount of time so that they can become financially stable independently.
This is an essential benefit for many people due to the fact that they may not be working while rearing a family or that they may have given up a career in support of a spouse. With that being the case, the fair thing to do is to help give them a boost financially until they are able to be self-sufficient or obtain the tools they need to support themselves well.
What can people use alimony for?
There is no requirement for the way alimony is spent. Most people use it as an additional safety net. Some use it to rent a nicer home or apartment. Some use it to go back to school or to learn a new trade. What you do with it is up to you.
Is it wise to negotiate alimony as part of a divorce settlement?
Yes. If you don’t settle, you’ll be at the mercy of state guidelines. Sometimes, you can get more by negotiating a settlement outside of court. Additionally, if your spouse doesn’t want to pay alimony in the long-term, they may agree to settle with a one-time, lump-sum payment, which allows you both to move on without having to continue contact over this concern.
Our site has more on the importance of alimony. It can be a great help for you when you need to get back on your feet and move forward with your life.