Alimony Lawyer in Wall Township, NJ Helps Clients Navigate Disputes Over Spousal Support in Monmouth County, Ocean County, Middlesex County, Mercer County, and Beyond
When a married couple separates or divorces, one spouse may suffer a reduction in their standard of living if the other spouse earned a much higher income or was the sole breadwinner. Alimony/spousal support prevents separating or divorcing spouses from experiencing a financial crisis solely due to the end of their marriage. However, alimony often leads to deep disputes between spouses or exes. Let a New Jersey spousal support attorney advocate for your interests and provide you with the clear, honest advice you need to resolve your alimony dispute.
When you need legal help advocating for a fair alimony or spousal support award in your divorce, turn to LaBletta & Walters LLC for help. Contact us for a confidential consultation to speak with an alimony lawyer in Wall Township, NJ about your legal options for pursuing, enforcing, or modifying/terminating an alimony/spousal support award.
Types of Alimony in New Jersey
Alimony/spousal support refers to money that one spouse pays to the other during separation, divorce proceedings, or after the court enters a divorce decree. In New Jersey, spousal support may also be available during and after dissolution proceedings involving a civil union. Types of financial support available during and after a couple’s separation include:
- Pendente lite alimony: Also known as temporary alimony, pendente lite alimony may be awarded during a couple’s separation or divorce proceedings to ensure each spouse remains in a similar financial position to that enjoyed during the marriage. Pendente lite alimony ends when the court issues a divorce decree, which may replace it with other kinds of alimony.
- Open durational alimony: Previously called permanent alimony, open durational alimony has no predetermined end date. Available when a marriage has lasted at least 20 years, open durational alimony is usually awarded when a recipient spouse has no reasonable prospects of becoming financially self-supportive, including due to advanced age or health issues. However, open durational alimony can end when the payor spouse reaches full retirement age.
- Limited durational alimony: Also called term alimony, limited durational alimony lasts for a specified number of years, intended to maintain the recipient spouse at the marital standard of living until they can become financially self-sufficient. For marriages lasting less than 20 years, limited durational alimony cannot exceed the length of the marriage.
- Rehabilitative alimony: Rehabilitative alimony refers to alimony awarded for the purpose of financially supporting a spouse as they return to the workforce and become financially self-sufficient. Rehabilitative alimony can cover everyday expenses in addition to the costs of workforce training or education.
- Reimbursement alimony: As the name suggests, reimbursement alimony reimburses a spouse for financial contributions they made to the other spouse’s educational and professional development. Reimbursement alimony may be awarded when a couple had a brief marriage or a much lower standard of living as one spouse pursued education or business opportunities.
- Palimony: Palimony refers to financial support that one-half of a couple not in a marriage or civil union pays to their partner following a separation or the end of their relationship. Palimony may be available when an unmarried couple creates a cohabitation or domestic partnership agreement that provides for palimony. Under the current palimony law in New Jersey, a couple must have a written agreement signed before the non-marital separation.
How Is Spousal Support Calculated in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, courts consider various statutory factors in determining whether to award alimony and in calculating the spousal support obligation:
- The length of the marriage
- The standard of living during the marriage
- Each spouse’s age and health
- Each spouse’s income, including income from the distribution of marital property
- Each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, including contributions as a homemaker or child caregiver
- Each spouse’s earning capacity, based on their education, work history, parenting responsibilities, and ability to obtain additional education or training
- Whether either spouse requires financial support to maintain a style of living comparable to the marital lifestyle
- Whether a potential payor spouse can pay financial support and maintain a comparable lifestyle to the recipient spouse
A New Jersey Spousal Support Attorney from LaBletta & Walters LLC Will Advocate for Your Financial Interests
Alimony or spousal support should ensure that a separated or divorced couple continues to enjoy a comparable standard of living until both spouses become financially self-sufficient. However, exes frequently have disputes over the establishment or continuing need for an alimony obligation. If you find yourself in the midst of a support dispute, let an alimony lawyer in Wall Township, NJ from LaBletta & Walters LLC fight for your interests by:
- Gathering your financial information and investigating your ex’s finances, including uncovering income or assets that your ex may have hidden
- Discussing your legal rights and options with you and preparing you for the process of pursuing, enforcing, or modifying/terminating alimony
- Reviewing your pre/postnup (if any) or the terms of a proposed divorce settlement agreement
- Advocating on your behalf during divorce settlement negotiations or in court to pursue your alimony goals
Contact Our Firm for a Confidential Consultation to Discuss Your Rights and Options with an Alimony Lawyer in Wall Township, NJ
A fair alimony/spousal support arrangement can enable you and your spouse to move on to the next chapter of your lives as you separate and divorce. A New Jersey alimony/spousal support lawyer can help you protect your financial interests and future. Contact LaBletta & Walters LLC today for an initial case evaluation to learn how our firm can advocate for you in your alimony/spousal support matter.