Atlanta Alimony Attorney
Help with Spousal Support in Georgia
Depending on a divorcing couple’s financial situation during the marriage, one spouse may be required to financially support the other spouse—in the form of alimony payments—during divorce proceedings and, in some cases, after the divorce is finalized. Sometimes determining the amount of alimony that will be paid and received is very straightforward. Other times, issues related to alimony lead to conflict and contention during the divorce process. At The Solomon Firm, our Atlanta alimony attorney knows the Georgia spousal support law inside and out, and how Georgia courts are likely to evaluate and decide alimony in any given situation. We use this knowledge to present strong alimony cases for our clients, whether we’re seeking to minimize or maximize alimony payments.
Georgia Alimony Law
Georgia law defines alimony as “an allowance out of one party’s estate, made for the support of the other party when living separately. It is either temporary or permanent.” Temporary alimony is the more common form of alimony in Georgia. It may be awarded during divorce proceedings and subject to modification when the divorce is finalized, or it may be awarded after the divorce is final for a specific time period as a way of helping the recipient spouse stay afloat while seeking job training or another means of financial stability. Permanent alimony, on the other hand, is generally only awarded to older or impaired individuals who have poor employment prospects. Factors Georgia courts consider when determining alimony include:
- The standard of living established during the marriage
- The duration of the marriage
- The age and the physical and emotional condition of both parties
- The financial resources of each party
- Where applicable, the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable him or her to find appropriate employment
- 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
- The condition of the parties, including the separate estate, earning capacity, and fixed liabilities of the parties
- Such other relevant factors as the court deems equitable and proper
Alimony is never a requirement of divorce, and it is up to the court to decide whether alimony is needed on a case-by-case basis. In fact, the modern trend is away from alimony orders. That said, courts still award alimony after long marriages where one spouse earned significantly more than the other, and alimony is awarded more frequently in divorces where one spouse left the workforce to care for children or take care of the home. Because of the anti-alimony trend, it’s important to have an experienced alimony attorney on your side if you’re seeking financial support from your soon-to-be ex. Likewise, if you want to minimize or avoid alimony payments, a smart alimony attorney can capitalize on the movement away from alimony to your advantage.
Speak with an Experienced Atlanta Alimony Attorney
If you’re concerned about paying or receiving alimony during or after divorce in Georgia, please contact The Solomon Firm and schedule a consultation with an experienced Atlanta alimony attorney. The first step to getting the alimony result you want is understanding your legal rights and options.
