Do I have to pay alimony?
The short answer is: ?It depends.? Georgia law provides that alimony, or spousal support, may be awarded to one spouse in the event of a divorce or separation. At times, spousal support is awarded on a temporary basis before the divorce is final. Alimony may be paid to either a husband or a wife. Georgia law provides 8 factors which the court determine alimony.
1. The standard of living established during the marriage;
2. The duration of the marriage;
3. The age and the physical and emotional condition of both parties;
4. The financial resources of each party;
5. Where applicable, the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable him to find appropriate employment;
6. The contribution of each party to the marriage, including, but not limited to, services rendered in homemaking, child care, education, and career building of the other party;
7. The condition of the parties, including the separate estate, earning capacity, and fixed liabilities of the parties; and
8. Such other relevant factors as the court deems equitable and proper.
Alimony may not be awarded to a requesting spouse if the separation between the parties was caused by that party's adultery or desertion. There are also other, variable factors that will influence a judge?s decision to award alimony. Some of these factors are within the client?s control such as:
- A party?s behavior during trial;
- A party?s willingness to be open and honest in disclosing financial information
- The age of the children of the marriage, if any
- Both parties? employment status / prospects
Georgia Code §19-6-1 & §19-6-5
- Ex-wife 'fries' Her Own Claim For Alimony With Facebook Posts
On behalf of Edwards & Associates posted in Alimony on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 In the past, we have written about how common it is for Facebook evidence to be used in divorce cases. Statements made on Facebook and other internet sites often count...
- Alimony Versus Child Support In Divorce
On behalf of Edwards & Associates posted in Alimony on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 April is now in full swing in Atlanta. For the optimists among us, that means opening day of the baseball season. For the realists among us, that means...
- Florida Psychotherapist Patient Privilege: Protecting Mental Health Records In Divorces And Other Family Law Cases
Divorce and family law cases sometimes get ugly. And, in ugly cases, it is not uncommon for one or both of the parties to have a personality disorder or other mental health condition. Under certain circumstances, a party's mental health...
- Equitable Distribution: The Marital Interest In A Non-marital Property Or Premarital Home
As couples marry later in life or have second marriages, one or both of the parties may already own a home. As a result, in many divorce cases, the parties live in a home owned solely by one of the parties. In these cases, a common question is whether...
- Life Insurance To Secure Alimony And Child Support
Clients often ask about whether the Court will require a party to procure life insurance to secure their alimony or child support obligation. Like many legal questions, the answer is "it depends." Courts do have the authority...