Alimony, or spousal support, refers to a court-ordered financial arrangement between two individuals who were once married. A family law judge determines the terms of the settlement during the divorce proceedings. They aim at helping the lower earner in the relationship maintain some semblance of financial security after ending the marriage. Regardless if you are paying or receiving alimony, it’s natural to wonder how long the arrangement is going to last.

Factors That Influence Alimony 

Unlike child support, which has set guidelines and formulas, alimony arrangements are fairly flexible. Because every couple’s financial situation is different, every alimony order is, too. The amount and duration of spousal support obligations will depend on a variety of factors, including:

• The total length of the marriage
• The couple’s standard of living over the course of the relationship
• The financial resources of each party
• The earning capacity of each party
• The physical and emotional health of each party
• Each party’s contributions to the household during the marriage. 

Scenarios That Terminate Alimony 

If the marriage was relatively short, the alimony arrangement would likely be fairly short, as well. In these scenarios, the court will include a specific end date in the order. For longer marriages or situations that call for extended spousal support, there are a few events that can terminate the arrangement. For example, the death of either party will end any payment obligations, as will the remarriage of the individual who is receiving the alimony. 

If you are considering filing for divorce in Connecticut but are concerned about the financial implications of doing so, turn to Gilbert P. Kaback Attorney at Law. For more than two decades, this family law attorney has been helping clients throughout New London County resolve various kinds of legal disputes. Based in Colchester, his areas of expertise include bankruptcy law, real estate law, and criminal defense. Visit the firm online to learn more about their family law services, or call (860) 537-0874 to schedule an initial consultation today.