Posts Categorized: Spousal Maintenance

Will I be Able to Receive Spousal Support?

If you are headed into a divorce and are worried about your finances, you should speak with Chicago divorce lawyer Michael C. Craven about seeking alimony. Spousal maintenance is not automatic in all divorces, but it is common in situations where there is a significant income disparity or one spouse delayed his or her education or career for the marriage. Historically, wives who spent years as primary caregivers and were later unable to earn similar amounts to their husbands received spousal sup...   Read more ...  

Negotiating Spousal Support During a Divorce

Are you interested in receiving spousal support after your divorce? Will you be required to pay support to your ex-spouse? If so, you can negotiate the amount and duration of maintenance (the legal name for alimony or spousal support in Illinois) with your spouse with the help of an experienced Chicago divorce attorney. Two of the most common arguments for alimony are that one spouse earns less than the other because he or she stayed home with the kids and a spouse has become accustomed to a cer...   Read more ...  

When Can I End Spousal Maintenance Early?

Many divorces leave people with a variety of financial obligations including dividing property, splitting retirement benefits, assigning life insurance proceeds, spousal maintenance, and child support. Maintenance, better known as alimony, is a relatively common financial responsibility, particularly for longer marriages or when there is a disparity between the two party’s incomes or earning potential. Unfortunately, individual’s situations change and it can become difficult or impossible to...   Read more ...  

Does My Spousal Support Duty End When I Retire?

Along with the freedom of retirement comes a number of financial questions: What is my new monthly budget? How much will I receive in Social Security? Should I make changes to my lifestyle? You may also wonder if you are still required to pay maintenance to your ex-spouse. The usual answer is yes. While alimony can end for a number of reasons, your retirement does not automatically terminate your duty to pay spousal support. However, if your retirement dramatically changes your financial circums...   Read more ...  

How Long Can I Receive Spousal Support?

Maintenance, also referred to as alimony or spousal support, is a legally binding arrangement that involves an ex-spouse continuing to provide financial support to his/her former partner for a period of time after a divorce. So, how long can a person expect to receive spousal support after a divorce in Illinois?   This question doesn’t have a cut-and-dry answer. The amount and timeframe is agreed upon by the parties when finalizing the divorce, or it can be ordered by the judge overseeing...   Read more ...