The Law Office Of Michael A. Troy PLLC

Alimony

Washington, D.C. and Maryland Lawyer Advocates for Spouses on Alimony Issues

Divorce attorney represents clients in spousal support matters

Spouses who rely on their husband or wife for income face serious financial peril once the relationship ends. To address this imbalance, courts in Maryland and Washington, D.C. can order that the higher-earning party send alimony payments to their ex during and after the divorce proceeding. The question of spousal support can become a contentious issue though, so it is critical to have a qualified attorney by your side. At The Law Office of Michael A. Troy PLLC, we represent parties seeking spousal support as well as those who are being asked to provide it. No matter what your situation entails, you can count on us for knowledgeable advice and effective advocacy. 

What are the different types of alimony?

The following three types of alimony are authorized under Maryland law:

  • Temporary alimony — Sometimes referred to as “pendente lite alimony,” temporary payments might be ordered by the court for the time when a divorce is pending. This allows a dependent husband or wife to meet their needs until the dissolution is finalized and a lasting decision on spousal support is entered. Without temporary alimony, a dependent party might be forced into a disadvantageous settlement due to financial pressures.  
  • Rehabilitative alimony — Most spousal support awards are designed to last long enough so that a stay-at-home spouse can gain or regain the ability to earn a suitable income. A recipient of rehabilitative alimony can get the education, job training or experience they require to secure a position where they can support themselves.
  • Indefinite alimony — In certain situations, a party to a divorce is not capable of meeting their financial needs due to a medical condition or some other long-term circumstance. Courts can grant indefinite alimony in these cases, under which no payment end date is specified. However, these orders can be modified or terminated if the relevant facts change. 

As an experienced divorce lawyer, Michael A. Troy can advise on alimony orders in divorces similar to yours so you can make an informed judgment about how to proceed.

Duration of alimony

How long rehabilitative alimony is paid, if it is paid at all, depends on the specific circumstances in a given divorce. A general guideline used by some courts is that one year of spousal support is ordered for every three years the marriage lasted. For example, under this calculation, a dependent spouse would receive four years of alimony from their ex if they were wed for 12 years. There are numerous reasons why a court might diverge from this standard, however, so it is important to work with a seasoned attorney so you have a full understanding of your options.

Factors used by courts when considering alimony decisions

Along with the duration of a marriage, there are numerous other factors that are commonly considered during an alimony determination, such as:

  • The ability of the party seeking alimony to be self-supporting
  • The couple’s standard of living during the marriage
  • The spouses’ age and physical condition
  • The ability of the higher-earning party to provide alimony
  • Each spouse’s monetary and non-monetary contributions to the family

Our firm will work to reach an appropriate agreement on spousal support, if that is possible. However, if the only way to obtain a fair result is to go to court, we will develop a persuasive argument for you based on the pertinent statutory factors.

Contact a Washington, D.C. and Maryland attorney for a free consultation regarding an alimony issue

The Law Office of Michael A. Troy PLLC in Greenbelt advises clients from Maryland and Washington, D.C. on alimony matters and other concerns related to the divorce process. Please call 202-864-2296 or contact us online to make an appointment for a free initial consultation.