Spousal support can provide you with a significant amount of financial relief post-divorce. But securing this support isn’t automatic, regardless of the circumstances of your case. Instead, the onus is on you to prove that you are deserving of alimony, which means presenting evidence that speaks to certain portions of the law.
How the marital standard of living comes into play
One aspect that a court will take into account when awarding spousal support is the marital standard of living. In an ideal situation, the court will order a support amount that allows the receiving spouse to enjoy the same standard of living that was enjoyed during the marriage. This isn’t always possible, of course, but the court will do its best to position the receiving spouse to achieve as close to that lifestyle as possible.
What is taken into account?
The marital standard of living analysis is all-encompassing. This means that everything from your marital residence to your house, clothing, shopping, dining, and vacationing may be taken into account. Therefore, if you’re seeking support, then it’s in your best interests to paint as clear of a picture as possible of the luxuries of your marital life. Keep in mind, though, that the court is likely to discredit any debt-driven aspects of your marital standard of living.
Building a strong case for alimony
The outcome of this one issue can shape your financial stability for years, perhaps even decades to come. That’s why it’s critical that you do everything you can to build strong legal arguments that position you for success. If you’d like to learn about how to do that and aggressively speak to every applicable legal element in your spousal support dispute, then please consider discussing the matter with an experienced divorce attorney of your choosing.
