Spousal support, also known as alimony or spousal maintenance, is an important consideration for both spouses when going through a divorce. However, the idea of spousal support can sometimes catch individuals off-guard. The qualified attorneys at our firm could help you understand more about what spousal maintenance is, how it may factor into your divorce, and how you can plan for how spousal support obligations may affect you. Call us at Reidy Law to set up a consultation with a Will County spousal support lawyer.

Types of Spousal Support in Will County

The first thing to remember about spousal maintenance in Will County is that it is discretionary. That means a judge has the authority to determine whether alimony is appropriate based on the circumstances of a marriage, as well as exactly what kind of alimony is best suited to the needs of the family in question, based on criteria established in 750 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/504. Reach out to a spousal support lawyer in Will County for more information. Our attorneys from Reidy Law can provide you with valuable insight.

Temporary and Rehabilitative Support

While divorce proceedings in Will County are underway, the court may award you temporary spousal support. This kind of alimony is usually requested at the onset of the proceedings, and orders awarding it typically last for the duration of the divorce process.

Rehabilitative spousal support is generally awarded for a short period of time after a divorce is finalized. Its purpose is to enable the receiving spouse to go back to school or acquire the skills necessary to become self-sustaining.

Reviewable and Permanent

Reviewable spousal support in Will County serves much of the same purpose as rehabilitative spousal support, in that it is geared toward ensuring the receiving spouse can become self-sustaining. However, at the end of the initial award period for reviewable spousal support, the court may review the award and make a determination regarding whether the spousal support should be continued.  For their part, the receiving spouse must make good faith efforts to become self-sustaining.

Permanent spousal support is awarded without an end date. This type of maintenance in Will County is usually only available in situations where a marriage has lasted for 20 years or more.

Determining Maintenance Payments

In Will County, recent legislation established new guidelines for spousal support. A court may follow these guidelines or order a different arrangement depending on the circumstances of the divorce itself, including the combined income of both spouses. Under the guidelines, maintenance is determined by taking 30 percent of the paying spouse’s income and subtracting 20 percent of the receiving spouse’s income from that.

This final total cannot exceed 40 percent of the combined income of both spouses if the total exceeds this percentage, it will be lowered until it qualifies. The duration of support in Will County is based on the length of the marriage itself, as well as a variety of other factors such as level of education, career prospects, and capacity to relocate. Get in touch with a lawyer to learn more about spousal support in Will County.

Consult with a Will County Spousal Support Attorney

Spousal maintenance and support can be a crucial part of a divorce settlement, and it is likely to have a big impact on both you and your spouses. While not every divorce involves spousal support, our firm could help you understand the laws governing it in Illinois so you could ensure your rights are protected.

When it comes to financial stability and the ability to gainfully participate in the workforce, your best move is often to work with legal advocates who understand the dynamic role alimony can play in Will County. If you have questions or concerns about spousal support and your divorce, call our firm today for an opportunity to schedule a consultation with a lawyer from Will County. Let us put our experience to work for you.