Maryland Alimony Attorney
Many people never expect that they will one day separate from their spouse and become embroiled in stressful and tedious divorce proceedings. One contentious issue that may arise during a divorce is whether one spouse should have to pay the other spouse alimony payments after the divorce is finalized. If you are concerned about paying or receiving alimony from your former spouse after a divorce, you should work with an experienced Maryland alimony attorney as soon as possible.
The legal team at Rice, Murtha & Psoras has litigated a wide variety of complex family law cases, and we can help you resolve your alimony dispute. We recognize the many burdens a person can face when dealing with a divorce, and we are here to alleviate some of your concerns. You do not have to manage your divorce and alimony claim alone; contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 431-0911 to schedule your free consultation. You may also contact the firm online to schedule an appointment for your free consultation.
Maryland Alimony Laws: Is Maryland an Alimony State?
Alimony is a legal or court-ordered obligation that requires a person to provide financial support for a former spouse for a legal separation or divorce. If you decide to divorce from your spouse, the payment of alimony to a spouse is an issue that is likely to arise.
It is possible for former spouses to agree to mutually consent to an alimony agreement. For example, a person may decide to pay their former spouse a certain amount of money every month upon the execution of a contract. When making an agreement with a former spouse for alimony payments, it would be prudent to have an experienced family law attorney to draft the contract. This would make it easier to insert provisions that allow a person to modify the agreement in accordance with their shifting needs.
Note, however, that if former spouses cannot agree on the subject of alimony payments, either party can go to the court to request alimony payments. If a spouse requests alimony from the court, it is important to understand that the divorce does not have to be finalized in order for alimony payments to be awarded. This means that the court can award a spouse with temporary alimony to supplement a spouse’s income throughout the divorce proceedings and can decide the amount of the alimony payments.
It is important to note that a Maryland court can award alimony even if a divorce was successfully completed in another state.
If you wish to know more about the factors a Maryland court may use to determine eligibility for spousal support, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Maryland alimony lawyer today.
How Is Alimony Calculated in Maryland?
When determining whether a spouse will receive alimony payments, the court will analyze a number of factors. For example, if a spouse is requesting alimony but has the capability to support themselves, this may work against that spouse. There are many other factors a court may consider when making a decision on alimony payments for a spouse:
- The period of time a former spouse may need to find suitable employment, or the length of time needed to complete an educational program
- The standard of living that a party has become accustomed to during the marriage
- The length of the marriage
- The financial and non-financial contributions that each spouse made to the family throughout the marriage (e.g., stay-at-home parent)
- The circumstances that led to the spouses becoming distant and eventually choosing to file for divorce (fault will not disqualify a spouse from receiving alimony)
- The age, physical, and mental condition of each spouse
- Whether alimony payments would impact a person’s ability to provide adequate care for themselves
- The financial needs of each party (e.g., a spouse received sole custody of a child)
This is not an exhaustive list. A court may consider many other factors when setting the amount of a spousal support court order.
You should also be aware that once a court has issued an order for alimony payments, the responsible party must adhere to the details of the court order. If a spouse violates the condition of their alimony payment order, they could face a number of legal issues. For example, if a person violates an order for alimony support, they could be held in contempt of court. If a party is held in contempt of court for failing to pay their alimony, they could be arrested and imprisoned.
If you are concerned about the amount of money that you must pay for alimony, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Our legal team may also be able to help you fight for a modification to your alimony support order. Rice, Murtha & Psoras is here to work with you.
Speak with Our Experienced Maryland Alimony Lawyer Today
If you need assistance to resolve an alimony dispute with your former spouse, you should contact an experienced Maryland alimony lawyer as soon as possible. Rice, Murtha & Psoras knows that a divorce can be challenging for a family, and we are here to offer you legal assistance in your time of need. To schedule a free legal consultation with a Maryland family law attorney to discuss the details of your alimony case, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 431-0911. Our firm can also be contacted online to schedule your free case evaluation.