Spousal support in Ohio (referred to as alimony in other states) can be agreed upon mutually by a divorcing couple or may be ordered by the court during or after a divorce proceeding.
To determine whether spousal support is necessary, and what type should be awarded, the court looks at numerous factors such as the duration of the marriage, the age and health of both spouses, and the earning ability of each spouse.
Temporary spousal support begins after the divorce action is filed, but ends at the final divorce decree.
Additional spousal support may begin after the final divorce decree and may be “short” or “long” term.
When is temporary spousal support ordered?
It is important to have a plan, because in a contested divorce, it can take several months for the court to order spousal support.
The Columbus spousal support attorneys at Nielsen Miller Law can give you suggestions on how to plan, and what to expect.
If your spouse was the primary income provider for you during your marriage, you may be unable to adequately support yourself while your divorce is pending.
As a result, you can ask the court to order temporary spousal support until your divorce is finalized. Keep in mind that while there are many factors that help guide the court, Ohio has no specific formula in determining the exact amount of temporary spousal support to be paid.
Rather, it uses its discretion on a case-by-case basis to determine how much support a spouse should receive.
It is important to be represented by an attorney who can skillfully argue your case.
How spousal support is paid
If your divorce is contested, and the court determines that spousal support is necessary, it will usually order monthly payments, sometimes through automatic payroll deduction.
Whether you are dissolving your marriage amicably with your spouse, or are involved in a contested divorce, it is in your best interests to hire an experienced lawyer who can guide you through divorce issues such as spousal support.
Experienced Columbus divorce attorney protects your rights
Jennifer Nielsen advocates passionately for divorce and family law clients throughout Central Ohio.
If you need help dissolving your marriage, resolving a child custody issue, or negotiating a fair spousal support agreement, contact Columbus family law attorney Jennifer Nielsen online today for a 30-minute consultation or call 614-505-5555 to discuss your case.
