Spousal Support Attorney in New York
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Aside from child custody and property division, spousal support is one of the most highly contested issues couples encounter during divorce. Also commonly known as “alimony,” the amount of spousal support paid can have a massive financial impact on both the paying and receiving parties, making it crucial for spouses to retain the services of a knowledgeable lawyer to ensure their best interests are protected.
At the Portela Law Firm, P.C., our team of top-rated New York spousal support lawyers can provide the powerful legal guidance you need to help you and your spouse negotiate a mutually agreeable solution. Backed by countless 5-star client testimonials and a “Superb” Avvo Rating for our unmatched legal knowledge and skills, our firm is ready to carry the burden and make every effort to guard your financial wellbeing.
Discuss your spousal support case with us in full detail during a confidential case review.
What Is the Purpose of Spousal Support?
Spousal support is essentially the legal obligation of a higher-earning spouse to provide financial support to their spouse during and after the divorce process to help them adjust to independent life and maintain a similar lifestyle as experienced during the marriage. In New York, spousal maintenance may be awarded on a temporary or permanent basis in varying amounts based on the individual circumstances of each case. While spouses have the right to negotiate an acceptable spousal support arrangement on their own through out-of-court negotiations or mediation, in many cases, this issue leads to major legal battles which can only be decided through litigation.
New York family courts consider the following factors when deciding spousal support:
- The length of the marriage
- Each spouse’s financial resources
- Each spouse’s education and employability
- The receiving spouse’s need to incur training or education expenses
- Child custody arrangements
- The tax consequences to each party
- The age and earning capacity of each spouse
- The property each spouse brought into the marriage
Temporary support orders end when a final divorce judgment is entered, whereas permanent support will endure until a specified date, the death of either spouse, or if the receiving spouse should remarry. It is important to note, however, that while support orders carry the enforceability of law and must be followed, they are not set in stone and may be modified at the request of either party if a substantial change in circumstances should present itself.
Powerful Support When You Need It Most
At the Portela Law Firm, P.C., we understand the immense emotional, physical, and financial burden that a person can face during divorce - and it is not something you should consider carrying alone. Regardless of whether you are a paying or receiving spouse, our team of New York spousal support lawyers can provide the trial-tested advocacy you need to ensure your best interests are guarded. From assisting you with financial disclosures and negotiations with your spouse to advocating on your behalf in court if necessary, we can help you understand your legal options and get you through this difficult time as smoothly as possible.
Do not leave the outcome of your case to chance. Contact our office online today to take the first step towards retaining the representation you deserve.