• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Call For A Free Consultation651-686-8800
  • Firm Overview
    • Articles
    • Settlements & Verdicts
    • Video Center
  • Attorneys
    • Jeffrey S. Sheridan
    • DeAnne L. Dulas
    • Andrew T. Hunstad
    • Randall A. Kins
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Defense
    • Aggressive DWI Defense
    • Aviation Lawyers
    • Family Law
    • Estate Planning & Litigation
    • LGBT Rights and Family Issues
    • Business Law And Litigation
      • Real Estate Law
      • Small Business Law
    • Federal Workers’ Compensation
    • Other Areas Of Law
  • Blog
  • Contact

Calculating Spousal Support After Divorce

August 10, 2012 by Sheridan & Dulas, P.A.

It’s the center of celebrities’ jokes, the target of reform and the cause of many divorce disputes. Whatever your stance on alimony (also called spousal support and spousal maintenance), the issue may come up during your divorce.

Whether you expect to pay or receive alimony after parting ways with your spouse, it can be helpful to know what factors the court will consider when awarding alimony. There are three factors that Minnesota courts require before granting spousal maintenance:

  • One party must need spousal maintenance.
  • The other party must be financially able to pay it.
  • The marriage must have lasted long enough to establish entitlement. Typically, marriages lasting fewer than five years will not qualify for spousal support.

Granted that all three conditions are satisfied, the court will make an alimony determination. There is no surefire way to predict the court’s decision but most judges consider:

  • Each spouse’s income and earning capacity. This includes not only current income, but each party’s potential for future earnings. For example, if one spouse has custody of the children, he or she may not be able to work full-time or earn as much money. Similarly, if one spouse is projected to earn much more money, the amount of alimony he or she pays may increase.
  • Standard of living during the marriage. A judge may consider what life was like during the marriage when determining alimony. Spouses become accustomed to a certain standard of living and courts may attempt to maintain that in support determinations.
  • Length of the marriage. Longer marriages are more likely to end with larger alimony awards. For traditional marriages lasting at least 25 years, Minnesota courts may grant permanent alimony.

Even permanent maintenance determinations can be changed, however. Changes in living situation, income and marital status can prompt a reevaluation of spousal support. It is best to speak with a qualified family law attorney to fight for the fairest possible support arrangement during the end of your marriage.

Categories: Divorce Tags: Divorce, Spousal Support

Primary Sidebar

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense
  • Aggressive DWI Defense
  • Family Law
  • Estate Planning & Litigation
  • LGBT Rights and Family Issues
  • Aviation Law
  • Federal Workers’ Compensation
  • Business Law And Litigation
    • Small Business Law
    • Real Estate Law
  • Other Areas Of Law

Contact the Firm

    Footer

    Schedule a Consultation

    Sheridan & Dulas, P.A. logo Sheridan & Dulas, P.A.

    1380 Corporate Center Curve #320
    Eagan, MN 55121

    Tel: 651-686-8800
    Driving Directions

    Hours

    Mon-Fri: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

    Schedule a Consultation

    Practice Areas

    • Criminal Defense
    • Aggressive DWI Defense
    • Family Law
    • Estate Planning & Litigation
    • LGBT Rights and Family Issues
    • Aviation Law
    • Federal Workers’ Compensation
    • Business Law And Litigation
      • Small Business Law
      • Real Estate Law
    • Other Areas Of Law
    The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. The transmission and receipt of information contained on this website, in whole or in part, or communication with the Sheridan & Dulas, P.A. via the Internet or e-mail through this website does not constitute or create a lawyer-client relationship between this firm and any recipient. You should not send any confidential information in response to this webpage. Such responses will not create a lawyer-client relationship, and whatever you disclose will not be privileged or confidential unless this firm has agreed to act as your legal counsel and you have executed a written engagement agreement with Sheridan & Dulas, P.A.. | Copyright © 2021 | All rights reserved | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap