While you were married, you and your spouse may have counted on your combined income to carry you for years to come. So, if you are going through a divorce, you may be concerned about how you will support yourself now that you are dependent on your single income.
Facing life on a single income is especially concerning if you have a low income or if you did not work while married and now must support yourself. For these reasons, some spouses in Michigan choose to pursue alimony, known in Michigan as spousal support.
What is spousal support?
Spousal Support is a court order that compels one spouse to provide financially for their ex. This is generally done through monthly payments, similar to child support. Michigan courts may order you to pay spousal support based on a number of factors in the law, such as, length of the marriage, the financial situation of the parties and age and health circumstances of the parties, among others.
What will courts consider when issuing spousal support?
As listed above, in order for spousal support to be issued in a divorce, you must be able to pay it and your ex must have a need to receive it. Courts will consider several factors, one of which is the prior standard of living during the course of your marriage when ruling on a support request. Courts will also consider a party’s ability to work, as well as, potentially, how long someone will need to obtain the education or training needed to find a job to adequately support themselves.
While Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, courts will consider fault arguments when determining spousal support. Fraud, infidelity, and domestic violence are some fault arguments that could be made when requesting the court order spousal support.
Spousal Support can be a sensitive subject, but it is one that has to be addressed in all Michigan divorce judgments, even if it is not ordered. By understanding Michigan spousal support laws, you can advocate for your rights and responsibilities following a divorce. If you want to learn more about how Michigan analyzes spousal support, contact our office for a free consultation.