Spousal Support Attorney in Red Bank Advocates for the Financial Interests of Clients in Monmouth County, Ocean County, Middlesex County, and Throughout NJ
Whether you have decided to end your marriage or your spouse surprises you with divorce papers, you need to begin immediately planning for your financial future after your marriage ends. Preparing for life after divorce can seem particularly difficult if your spouse made most of or all your family’s income or if you have trouble rejoining the workforce after a prolonged absence during your marriage. The law recognizes that divorcing spouses should continue to enjoy roughly the same standard of living after their split, even if they have vastly different incomes or earning capacities. Divorce settlements or judgments may include alimony or spousal support to help level ex-spouses’ financial situations. Turn to New Jersey alimony lawyer Joseph J. Russell for help if you want to request alimony or if your spouse has asked the court for alimony. Our firm can help you obtain a fair and favorable resolution of the alimony issue in your divorce. We can also assist you if you need to modify or terminate an alimony agreement or order due to changed circumstances or if you need to enforce an order after your ex stops making payments.
Contact Joseph J. Russell Divorce & Family Law Attorney, for an initial case review to learn more about your spousal support rights and obligations. Our firm can help you if you wish to pursue alimony in your divorce, want to modify your existing alimony order, or need to enforce your ex’s support obligations.
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How Does Alimony Work in New Jersey?
New Jersey takes a gender-neutral approach to alimony, meaning either spouse may request alimony in a divorce. However, courts do not use a mathematical formula to determine whether a spouse should receive alimony or to calculate an alimony payment. Instead, courts must evaluate multiple factors when deciding alimony, including:
- The age and health of the spouses
- The standard of living during the marriage
- The respective income or earning capacities of the spouses
- Whether either spouse has spent an extended time out of the labor market
- The length of time needed for a spouse to acquire the education or training needed to obtain employment
- The division of marital assets and liabilities
- The income available to each spouse from investments, assets, government benefits, etc.
- The parental obligations of each spouse
- Other alimony and child support obligations each spouse may have
Alimony should allow both spouses to maintain the standard of living from the marriage or a reasonable approximation. Alimony can also provide a spouse with the financial resources they need to reenter the workforce and become self-sufficient if their ex served as the family’s primary breadwinner during the marriage.
In New Jersey, marriages lasting less than 20 years may only have alimony awards lasting no longer than the marriage. For longer marriages, a spouse may request open durational alimony that continues until either spouse retires or passes away or until the recipient spouse remarries or cohabitates with a partner.
Couples may negotiate a support agreement while the parties remain separated. Courts may also award alimony pendente lite that lasts for the duration of the divorce proceedings.
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New Jersey Alimony Lawyer Joseph J. Russell and Our Firm Can Help You Obtain or Modify a Fair Spousal Support Arrangement
Unfortunately, alimony often becomes a contentious issue in divorces. Although alimony should enable both spouses to maintain roughly the same standard of living following divorce, an alimony obligation can put financial pressure on the paying spouse. A spousal support attorney in Red Bank can help you protect your interests and future by:
- Explaining your rights and options to alimony in your divorce
- Ensuring your divorce complaint or answer includes your request for alimony
- Gathering financial documents to support your claim for or against an alimony award
- Handling discovery requests to obtain your spouse’s financial information and working with forensic accountants and other economic experts to understand your spouse’s finances
- Negotiating with your spouse and their counsel to reach a property or marital settlement agreement that achieves your alimony goals
- Preparing an effective and persuasive argument to guide the court’s analysis of the alimony award factors
- Advocating for your preferred alimony outcome in court
- Representing you in petitions to modify your alimony order if you or your spouse experience changed circumstances, such as loss of a job or cohabitation/remarriage
- Assisting you if your ex falls behind on their alimony, including going to court to obtain relief
Get Advice From An Experienced New Jersey Family Law Attorney. All You Have To Do Is Fill Out Our Convenient Online Contact Form To Receive Your Confidential Case Evaluation.
Contact a Spousal Support Attorney in Red Bank for an Initial Case Review to Learn More About Your Legal Rights Concerning Alimony
Get the legal help you need to protect your financial interests if you or your spouse seek alimony in your divorce. Contact New Jersey alimony lawyer Joseph J. Russell and our firm for a confidential consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options for alimony.