Alimony & Spousal Support
Money is one of the most challenging things to agree upon during many divorces. Alimony (also called spousal support) is a complex issue for many spouses to agree on because, unlike child support, alimony determinations do not involve state guidelines or calculators. At The Gunn Firm, we will help you navigate the obstacles faced during your divorce.
Types of Alimony Available to Spouses
Determining the amount of alimony available to a spouse can be complex, requiring the skills of an attorney. At The Gunn Firm, an experienced attorney will sit down to determine the most appropriate divorce strategy to employ to secure fair alimony.
Temporary alimony (temporary support) - This form of alimony is available to a spouse who wishes to contest certain issues during a divorce while obtaining monetary support.
Permanent alimony - The court has a great deal of discretion when awarding permanent alimony. Generally, the need and ability to pay are controlling factors in alimony determinations. Other factors include:
- Marital standard of living
- Marriage length
- Age and physical condition of the spouses
- Finances of both parties
- If relevant, the time needed for a spouse to obtain the education and training necessary for employment
- Contributions of each party to the marriage (i.e., homemaking and childcare)
- The earning capacity and liabilities of each party
In certain instances, the court has the authority to deny alimony petitions. When a spouse has committed adultery, he or she may not petition the court for alimony. A spouse may be barred from petitioning the court for alimony when he or she voluntarily and willfully abandons a spouse.
Modifying Alimony Awards after a Divorce
You lost your job. You were injured at work. Your spouse remarries. There are many circumstances that can affect a spouse's ability to pay alimony following a divorce. When there has been a material change in circumstances, the court may be willing to modify the amount of alimony owed to your spouse. We will help you petition the court to modify the amount of alimony you must pay.
We offer free consultations and appointment times that are convenient for you. If you would like to learn more about alimony and spousal support in Georgia, simply call 404-969-4505 or contact us online
We are dedicated to providing families throughout Cobb, Cherokee, Dekalb, Fulton and Paulding counties in Georgia with the superior representation they need. This includes the cities of Acworth, Atlanta, Austell, Canton, Dallas, Decatur, Dunwoody, Hiram, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Vinings, Woodstock and surrounding communities.