This is generic information and is not a substitute for legal advice. Only an attorney can apply the general principles of law to your situation and circumstances. Please call for a consultation regarding specifics.

Spousal support is

• support paid when the parties are separated but still married
• called alimony pendente lite (APL) under some circumstances
• calculated by guidelines when determined by a court
• taxable income to the recipient and deducted from the income of the payor

Alimony

• Is financial support paid to an ex-spouse after the divorce
• May or may not be in the same amount as pre-divorce support or APL
• Taxable income to the recipient and deducted from the income of the payor
• Not a given, but awarded by a court after consideration of these factors
  • earnings and earning capacities
  • ages, physical/mental/emotional conditions
  • sources of income to both parties including medical, retirement, insurance, etc.
  • expectancies and inheritances
  • duration of the marriage
  • contribution by one party to the education, training or increased earning power of the other party
  • how the earning power, expenses or financial obligation of a party will be affected because of serving as custodian of a minor child
  • standard of living established during the marriage
  • education and/or time necessary to acquire sufficient education/training to enable a party seeking alimony to find appropriate employment
  
  • assets and debts of each of the parties
  • property brought to the marriage by either party
  • contribution of a spouse as a homemaker
  • relative needs of the parties
  • marital misconduct before final separation and abuse after separation
  • income tax ramifications of an alimony award
  • whether party seeking alimony lacks sufficient property (including the property received in the divorce division) to provide for the party's reasonable needs
  • whether the party seeking alimony is incapable of self-support through employment

Both spousal support and or alimony can be decided either :

• By mutual agreement (usually formalized in a writing and made a Court Order), or,
• By the court through a multi-step legal process which includes possible appeals.

 

Sites Offering Budgeting and Financial Advice for Women :

          www.bluesuitmom.com/money

          www.womens-finance.com