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What is a Spousal Support Agreement?
Dealing with a divorce is stressful, and there are often many different elements of a divorce that need to be decided, such as property divisions, child custody agreements, and spousal support. Spousal support agreements are intended to financially support a spouse who may have given up a career or other opportunities to work around the home.
Navigating a spousal support agreement is complex, and the assistance of a seasoned Illinois lawyer helps you understand the spousal support options available in your specific divorce situation so you don’t have to deal with the stress of figuring this out alone.
Is Spousal Support the Same as Alimony?
Spousal support is the same as alimony, a more outdated term. Typically, alimony is associated with a male partner supporting a female partner after divorce. However, either partner may be awarded alimony depending on the specifics of the divorce.
Spousal support agreements are intended to financially help an individual in a divorce, as some individuals cannot support themselves after their marriage ends. A common reason for this is when one partner gives up a career or other opportunities to work around the home or take care of children.
Can I Seek Spousal Support in My Divorce?
In Illinois, there are certain factors that a partner in a divorce must meet before they are eligible to receive spousal support, also called ‘maintenance.’ The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act outlines these factors, and they include items like the length of the marriage, the standard of living during a marriage, and the age and health of both partners.
Once it has been decided that spousal support will be awarded in your divorce case, calculations for how much support is received are made based on a statutory formula that considers unique factors about your marriage and divorce proceedings.
An experienced divorce attorney can help you determine if one spouse is eligible to receive support from the other due to the divorce and how the maintenance formula for calculating spousal support might be applied to your situation.
Contact a St. Charles, IL Divorce Attorney
Navigating a divorce is difficult, and if spousal support is an essential topic in your divorce, it’s important to speak to an experienced Kane County, IL divorce lawyer as soon as possible. With the guidance of our lawyers at Shaw Sanders, P.C., you can start to understand the legal options available to you and what your next steps are if spousal support is involved in your divorce. Call 630-584-5550 for a free consultation.
630-584-5550