Spousal Maintenance

Arizona Alimony - Interim Support - Spousal Maintenance

The divorce attorneys at the Weingart Law Firm in Tempe can represent either the paying party or the receiving party in questions concerning the establishment or enforcement of support for a divorcing spouse. Our spousal support lawyers can explain the difference between temporary or indefinite maintenance payments, and the circumstances under which they might apply. For additional information and to schedule a consultation, contact the Greater Phoenix spousal maintenance attorneys at our law firm.

The main purpose of Arizona's alimony laws is rehabilitative and transitional, especially in divorces involving younger or better educated spouses. The length of the marriage is also a major factor, and spousal maintenance is not commonly awarded for marriages that lasted three years or less. For marriages of three to twenty years' duration, temporary spousal maintenance will usually be awarded if one spouse needs support during a period of transition to reenter the job market and the other spouse can afford to pay it.

For marriages that lasted twenty years or longer, and where the spouse requesting support is older than 50 years of age and lacks job skills and experience, spousal maintenance sufficient to maintain the standard of living during the marriage will typically be awarded by a family court judge, depending on the other spouse's ability to pay. Our attorneys can explain all of the factors that go into the calculation of spousal support awards and either negotiate for a maintenance award that will fit your circumstances or take your case to court.

Support for a spouse who needs it is one of the more flexible concepts of Arizona marital law, and our attorneys can often negotiate favorable maintenance terms in conjunction with a settlement of the community property issues. At the same time, issues concerning support of a former spouse are often determined in court.

The flexibility of the concept of spousal maintenance by itself can tempt a party to take his or her chances in court, and even where the parties reach agreement on the terms of a spousal support obligation, the paying party might need the court's permission to reduce alimony payments based on a reduced ability to pay. A recipient of temporary maintenance might need to move the court for an extension of the payment period. An family law attorney's help might also be necessary to enforce the obligations of an order for spousal support through a motion for civil contempt.

Our experience with spousal maintenance issues will help you avoid mistakes of judgment as to whether you should accept an offer of alimony payments or take the matter to court. We can also help you modify or enforce spousal support obligations as necessary in court. For additional information about your rights, responsibilities, and risks in a spousal maintenance case, contact the experienced Tempe divorce attorneys at the Weingart Law Firm.