Alimony, also known as spousal maintenance in Missouri, is a form of court-ordered payment made to support the financially dependent spouse after a divorce. If you’re getting a divorce and are looking to receive alimony or are being asked to pay it, having a team of skilled St. Louis divorce lawyers in your corner is paramount. Contact the Stobie Family Law Group today so we can assess the circumstances of your case, and, from there, craft an effective strategy on your behalf.
Alimony Lawyers Serving Clients in St. Louis, Missouri
Understandably, alimony is among the most hotly-contested divorce-related issues. Typically, one spouse wants to receive it and the other spouse doesn’t want to pay it. For this reason, you need a knowledgeable attorney who can safeguard your interests and work to ensure you’re in a positive financial position moving forward.
Types of Alimony in Missouri
In Missouri, courts can award several types of alimony depending on the circumstances of the case. These include:
- Temporary (or pendente lite) Alimony: This type of support is awarded during the divorce process to help the dependent spouse maintain their standard of living until a final settlement is reached.
- Rehabilitative Alimony: Awarded when one spouse needs financial assistance for a specific period, usually to allow time for job training or education that will enable the spouse to become self-sufficient.
- Modifiable Alimony: This form of alimony is awarded with the understanding that it can be modified or terminated if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in income or living situation.
- Permanent Alimony: In rare cases, where the dependent spouse is unable to become financially independent due to age, disability, or long-term absence from the workforce, permanent alimony may be awarded. However, permanent alimony is less common and typically applies in long-term marriages.
How Is Alimony Calculated in Missouri?
Missouri courts take several factors into consideration when determining whether to award alimony and, if so, how much. While there is no specific formula, the following elements are often evaluated, which are as follows:
- The financial resources of both parties: This includes each spouse’s income, assets, and their ability to meet their own needs independently.
- The standard of living during the marriage: The court will aim to ensure that the dependent spouse can maintain a similar standard of living to what they had during the marriage.
- The length of the marriage: Longer marriages are more likely to result in alimony awards, especially if one spouse was financially dependent for a significant portion of the marriage.
- The age and health of both spouses: A spouse’s ability to work, including factors like age, physical, and mental health, will impact the decision.
- The contributions of each spouse: Non-monetary contributions such as homemaking or supporting the other spouse’s education or career will be considered.
- The time and resources needed for the dependent spouse to gain education or job skills: If a spouse requires additional education or job training to become financially independent, the court may award alimony for a set period.
When Does Alimony End in Missouri?
Alimony in Missouri is not necessarily permanent. There are several circumstances under which alimony payments may be modified or terminated. Those circumstances are as follows:
- Remarriage of the recipient: If the spouse receiving alimony remarries, alimony payments typically end.
- Cohabitation: If the recipient spouse cohabitates with another person in a marriage-like relationship, the court may terminate alimony.
- Significant change in financial circumstances: If either spouse experiences a substantial change in financial situation, such as losing a job or receiving a significant increase in income, alimony may be modified or terminated.
- Retirement: Upon the paying spouse’s retirement, courts may reconsider the alimony arrangement based on the new financial circumstances.
- Court-specified conditions: Some alimony orders come with specific conditions for termination, such as after a set number of years or upon completion of the dependent spouse’s education or job training.
Contact Our St. Louis, Missouri Alimony Lawyers
Here at the Stobie Family Law Group, we understand just how important and, at times, contentious alimony-related issues can be for divorcing spouses. That said, we are dedicated to effectively representing our clients’ interests at every turn, ensuring they are in a fair place financially after their marriage has ended. If you have additional questions about alimony in Missouri or you need a team of skilled lawyers in your corner, simply contact the Stobie Family Law Group today.
