Greensboro Alimony Lawyers Pursue Fair Terms for Divorcing Clients

Experienced family law attorneys handle spousal support negotiations and litigation

What most people want from their divorce is to close the door on one stage of their life and open another that leads to a secure and fulfilling future. However, if one spouse relied on the other for income, the court might order that alimony payments be sent to the lesser-earning spouse. At Sigmon Klein, PLLC, our Greensboro divorce lawyers care about your future and your peace of mind. Whether you might pay support or receive it, we want you to obtain a fair order based on the true state of your finances and earning capacity. When you retain our services, you can be confident in our preparation and performance on your behalf.

What is alimony?                 

Alimony, also called spousal support, is a court-ordered obligation to pay a prescribed amount to an ex-spouse during and/or after a divorce. The concept of alimony is based on the principle that divorce should not expose a spouse who relied on their partner’s income to financial hardship. To be eligible for alimony, a spouse must be substantially dependent and in need of support. This means that the spouse petitioning for alimony has depended on income provided by their partner and would be unable to maintain their standard of living without a financial contribution from their ex. When there is both a need and an ability to pay, a court will consider whether to grant alimony. However, under North Carolina law, if the requesting spouse committed adultery during the marriage, the court will not award alimony.

Determining how much and for how long alimony should be paid

An order of alimony contains two parts: the amount and the duration. To assign an amount, the court considers the parties’ individual earning capacities. As to the duration, spousal support can consist of a single lump-sum amount or periodic payments, which can be for a certain or indefinite period. In coming to its decision, the court may consider all relevant information. Key factors often include:

• The spouses’ relative earnings and earning capacities
• The spouses’ ages and each one’s physical, mental and emotional health
• Sources of earned and unearned income
• The duration of the marriage
• The contribution of one spouse to the education, training or increased earning power of the other spouse
• Limitations on earning ability due to child-care responsibilities
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The tax consequences of the award
• Marital misconduct that led to the divorce

As your advocates in all family law matters, we thoroughly investigate your situation and present to the court all pertinent facts for consideration.

Modifying a North Carolina alimony order

Lump-sum alimony cannot be reversed later, but periodic alimony is subject to modification if there is a substantial change in circumstances. Examples of viable reasons to request a modification include:

• Long-term illness
• Disabling accident
• Income shift
• Remarriage or cohabitation with a supporting partner

If your financial or personal situation has changed appreciably, we can help you seek an appropriate modification of your alimony order.

Contact our Greensboro family law attorneys for reliable alimony counsel

Sigmon Klein, PLLC is a full-service family law firm that handles alimony issues during and after divorce. To schedule a consultation, call us at 336-697-6790 or contact our office online. Our office is conveniently located adjacent to Center City Park.