One of the most frightening things about divorce can be the financial uncertainty. If your spouse was the breadwinner, you are probably wondering how you will make ends meet on your own. Will your spouse have to assist you, and how much alimony or support can you expect to receive? If you are expecting to pay alimony or support you probably have similar questions.

In Pennsylvania, support paid prior to divorce is called spousal support or alimony pendente lite. If you do not have children, the amount will be forty percent of the difference in your net incomes. If you do have children, the amount reduces to thirty percent. Alimony is the term used for support paid after a divorce decree is entered. A court will consider a variety of factors when evaluating whether or not to award alimony, including the earnings and earning capacities of the parties, health factors, duration of the marriage, a spouse’s contribution to the education or increased earning power of the other and the relative needs of the parties. You must preserve your right to receive alimony before a decree in divorce is entered.

If you need spousal support or if you are faced with the prospect of having to provide spousal support, you need experienced legal representation. Most people are familiar with the saying, “Garbage in, garbage out.” If the court has incomplete or bad information when evaluating your case, it could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

For more information about spousal support, alimony pendente lite, family law or alimony, contact us.