There are few issues in divorce that are more contentious than alimony (also known as maintenance or support). There are also few issues that are more unpredictable. While some Arizona judges are predisposed to provide alimony, others are not. Your case could depend as much on the judge hearing your case as on the facts.
Unlike with child support, there are no clear guidelines for spousal maintenance. As a result, the skill and knowledge of your attorney is ultimately a crucial factor that goes into a final spousal maintenance order. However, due to the uncertainly and lack of guidelines, the attorneys at Singer Pistiner, P.C. in Phoenix, Arizona, believe it is important to help clients negotiate a settlement on the issue of alimony payments. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
Spousal Support and Arizona Law
At one time, attorneys would use a formula as a reference for alimony payments. However, this formula has recently been disavowed and is not used any longer. Today, judges consider a number of potential factors to determine whether a spouse is entitled to spousal maintenance, what the amount of spousal maintenance should be and how long payments should continue. Those factors include:
- The length of the marriage
- The age and health of the spouse seeking alimony
- Whether the recipient spouse is able to be self-sufficient
- Whether the recipient spouse contributed to the other spouse's educational or career opportunities
- Whether the spouse seeking support has sufficient assets to provide for his or her own needs
- The ability of the other spouse to pay alimony
The primary purpose of spousal maintenance in Arizona is to help the recipient spouse get back on his or her feet and become self sufficient.
Negotiating Spousal Support
One way to resolve the alimony issue is to trade alimony in exchange for a larger share of community property division. Unlike division of community property, alimony is a taxable event. Alimony payments are tax deductible to the person making them and taxable to the person receiving them. The lawyers at Singer Pistiner, P.C., can help you review your financial and tax situation and determine which option is better for you.
Spousal Support Attorneys Serving Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler and Mesa
If you'd like to know more spousal support, please feel free to call our Phoenix alimony attorneys at 602-910-2642, 623-239-4610, or send us an e-mail to schedule a free initial consultation. From our office on Camelback Road, we represent clients throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona.
