Spousal Support Attorney

Spousal Support in PA

When one spouse is financially dependent on the other, spousal support provides for the “care, maintenance, and financial assistance” of the financially dependent spouse during the separation. The amount of funds the lesser-earning spouse receives varies from case to case.

When discussing divorce, people may use the words “spousal support” and “alimony” interchangeably. However, according to PA law:

• Spousal support: Refers exclusively to payments made from one spouse to another after a separation, but before filing for divorce.
• Alimony: Refers to payments made to a spouse following the finalization of a divorce. Alimony also includes alimony pendente lite (APL), which refers to payments that occur after the divorce is filed, but before it’s finalized.

How Is Spousal Support Determined?

When a judge considers providing spousal support to one party, they closely examine the relationship as a whole to determine whether the spouse seeking support really needs it and how much to award. They will consider factors such as:

• The length of the marriage: The longer a couple has been married, the more likely the lesser-earning spouse is to receive spousal support to help them adjust to their new life.
• Each spouse’s assets: People with significant assets or wealth may be considered financially stable enough to not need support. An important asset in this consideration is the marital house and who is paying any bills related to it.
• Working history and earning potential: If one of the spouses has been a stay-at-home parent or otherwise unemployed, they are more likely to receive spousal support, especially as they explore working opportunities and gain the necessary qualifications to rejoin the workforce.
• Childcare responsibilities: Similarly, if the spouse seeking support is in charge of childcare, this may further impact their earning potential. Divorces that involve children may also pursue child support from the paying spouse.

With all these considerations in mind, the judge will use a mathematical formula designed to quantify these factors alongside existing income. The formula is specified in the Pennsylvania code, and it subtracts a percentage of the lower-earning spouse’s monthly net income after taxes from a percentage of the higher-earning spouse’s monthly net income after taxes.

How Buzgon Davis Law Offices Can Help

A divorce can change a lot about your way of life, but what won’t change is our commitment to work toward your goals. Our team of experienced attorneys has the expertise to handle any Pennsylvania spousal support case you bring to us. We will work with you every step of the way. Tell us more about your case today so we can start planning our strategies.