Not every divorce will result in a Missouri court awarding spousal maintenance. Spousal maintenance is also called alimony or spousal support and is the payment of money from one ex-partner to the other for after their divorce is finalized. This post will examine some of the important factors that courts can use to decide if spousal maintenance is appropriate.
First, a court will look at whether a person asking for spousal maintenance is able to take care of themselves based on the property and income. If a person has not worked outside of the home because they have focused their attention on raising the couple’s kids or maintaining their household, then it may be unrealistic for them to jump into a career after a divorce. A court will evaluate if there options for the person to gain educational or work-specific training that may facilitate their return to employment.
In addition, a court can look at marital factors, such as the length of time that the partners were married, and the standard of living at which they existed throughout their union, before ordering an award of spousal maintenance. If after an evaluation of a party’s situation a court finds that the party will not be able to support themselves once their divorce is finalized, the court will likely grant that person’s request for spousal maintenance.
Readers should meet with their family law and divorce attorneys, if they would like more information on spousal maintenance in Missouri. This post does not provide its readers with legal advice and should not be used as guidance on specific legal matters.