Alimony

Alimony is a form of spousal support that is based on the relative financial needs and income of the parties. Tennessee has statutes that list the factors a court must consider when awarding alimony. Ask your lawyer to explain the various types of alimony and which ones, if any, may be appropriate in your case. Tennessee recognizes these four types of alimony:

Rehabilitative Alimony: temporary payments to enable a financially disadvantaged spouse an opportunity to become financially self-sufficient;

Transitional Alimony: temporary payments to enable a financially disadvantaged spouse to adjust to the financial consequences of a divorce;

Alimony in Futuro: long-term payments for a spouse who is unable to achieve financial self-sufficiency; and

Alimony in Solido: a definite amount of support that is payable in one lump sum or paid in payments for a definite period of time.

Ask your lawyer how much alimony you may get and how long it will last. Find out about the tax consequences for each type of alimony.

Ask your lawyer whether alimony can be modified either before or after the divorce. In Tennessee, final court orders for alimony may be modified only by proving a substantial and material change in circumstances occurring since the last court order.

Living with someone after the divorce, even if you are not romantically involved, may cause your alimony to be stopped or reduced. If an alimony recipient remarries, then the spousal support stops in most cases. Ask your lawyer about your specific situation.

If you want to discuss your situation with one of the divorce and family law attorneys at Herston Law Group, please click here to contact us for a consultation.

Information provided by K.O. Herston: Knoxville, Tennessee Divorce, Matrimonial and Family Law Attorney.