What Are the Qualifications to Receive Alimony?

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Alimony, also called spousal support in South Carolina, is a payment system intended to help right any financial imbalance set off by divorce. Alimony is intended to help the financially disadvantaged spouse find better financial footing and become more financially independent. If you have questions or concerns related to alimony, reach out to an experienced South Carolina family law attorney today. 

Relevant Factors

There are a variety of relevant factors that the court takes into careful consideration in the determination of alimony, including:

  • The length of your marriage (the longer your marriage, the more likely alimony becomes)
  • The age and health (both physical and mental) of you and your soon-to-be ex
  • You and your soon-to-be ex’s employment history, current income, and earning potential
  • You and your soon-to-be ex’s level of education and whether or not additional education, training, or experience would increase the earning potential of either one of you
  • The standard of living you enjoyed over the course of your marriage
  • The personal expenses each of you bears and any expected changes in these expenses upon your divorce (for each of you)
  • The assets and property each of you own separately
  • Your custody arrangements and whether or not they preclude one of you from working outside the home on a full-time basis 
  • Any wrongdoing or fault on the part of either of you that either led to the divorce in the first place and/or that negatively affected your current marital finances

Generally, alimony is paid on a monthly basis. It can be either ongoing or ordered for a period of time that is intended to provide the recipient with the opportunity to obtain the education and/or skills necessary to support himself or herself financially.

Seek the Skilled Legal Guidance of an Experienced South Carolina Family Law Attorney Today 

The seasoned family law attorneys at Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC, in Greenville dedicate their practice to skillfully guiding alimony cases like yours toward beneficial resolutions that support our clients’ financial rights. To learn more about how we can also help you, please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 864-523-6928 today. 

Alimony FAQ

How are alimony payments taxed?

In 2019, the tax burden for alimony payments changed significantly. Now, recipients of alimony are not required to pay taxes on the income, and those who make alimony payments no longer receive a tax break on those payments. 

How does having a family law attorney on my side help?

Family law concerns, such as alimony, address wide-ranging factors and tend to be very complicated. Your dedicated family law attorney will do what it takes to help ensure that your financial rights are well protected throughout the process and will skillfully advocate for terms that work for you.

Can fault play a role in the determination of alimony?

Yes, one spouse’s wrongdoing in the marriage can be factored into the court’s determination of whether alimony will be granted and in the determination of its amount and duration. In fact, a spouse who may otherwise be entitled to alimony will be barred from receiving it if he or she commits adultery in South Carolina.

Why Choose Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey Law Firm?

With the experience to address complex family law, criminal defense, and real estate matters, our knowledgeable team of attorneys are here to advocate for you. We operate our law offices on three main principles:

Trust.

We strive to establish personal trust with each and every client.

Integrity

We operate with the utmost integrity when dealing with clients and the legal community.

Excellence

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