Spousal Support

Bergen County Spousal Support Attorney

Representing NJ Clients Through All Alimony Matters

Spousal support is a complicated matter in a divorce. Unless agreed upon outside of court, spousal support, also known as alimony, must be addressed before a divorce can be finalized. Legal issues related to alimony often come down to a disconnect regarding what the other party deserves. While the independent party has worked for the success of the family and believes that they should be able to keep more of the money they earned, the dependent party has rights to be supported, depending on the length of the marriage and the ability to become independent themselves. When parties disagree, a couple can easily find themselves in court over the matter. If you are an individual facing divorce and alimony is a contested issue, contact The Radol Law Firm. Our firm is ready to assess your situation, guide you through your legal options and effectively protect your rights in the divorce process. If you need our help, contact The Radol Law Firm for a consultation.

Types of Alimony in New Jersey

Alimony has changed in New Jersey. In 2014, the laws pivoted away from the idea that alimony should be a lifetime obligation. Permanent alimony changed to the term “open durational” alimony. When facing divorce, there are four categories of spousal support that could apply to you. They include the following:

  • Open durational alimony– Open durational alimony is similar to the outdated “permanent” alimony. This type of alimony structure is saved for couples that have been together for more than 20 years. It has no set end date and the obligation can be modified based on changing circumstances, including the financial needs of an individual and earning potential of both parties.
  • Limited duration alimony– When a couple divorces after a short time, a court may award alimony to a dependent party for a short period to support the individual as they become financially independent.
  • Rehabilitative alimony– This type of spousal support is a short-term obligation. It is mostly utilized to pay for schooling or vocational training that would advance an individual’s earning potential. When one party deferred goals in support of the other’s advancement, rehabilitative alimony can help.
  • Reimbursement alimony– When one party has supported the other in the pursuit of education that would advance the financial status of the family, reimbursement alimony is in place to pay back what was spent on the others support while in school.

When a court hears a divorce case based on the contested issue of spousal support, judges will consider many factors regarding the divorcing couple. When a decision is made, the couple must adhere to the order.

Contact The Radol Law Firm for a consultation

Alimony can be a complicated and heated matter. While some can agree to terms with alternative dispute resolution, other are just not able to set aside differences to discuss the matter through constructive negotiations. If you are getting divorced and spousal support is a contested issue, contact The Radol Law Firm. Our firm understands how difficult resolving the issue of alimony can be and we are ready to ease you through the matter. If you need a compassionate and effective legal team to represent your needs through the divorce process, contact The Radol Law Firm for an initial consultation.