In many marriages, one person works part-time or stays home to take care of the household. When these couples divorce, Kentucky family law allows for spousal support, or alimony, which provides a way for the non-working spouse to maintain an adequate living situation. This overview explains more about alimony and who qualifies for it.

Types of Alimony in Kentucky Family Law

Temporary

This type of alimony is for divorcing couples who rely on a single source of income. A divorce proceeding can take up to a year or more to settle, and both partners need income during that time. In this situation, the working spouse must support the non-working spouse until the divorce is final.

Short-Term

A non-working spouse must train for a career of their own. This may require going to college, taking a vocational training program, or pursuing other opportunities. The non-working spouse must provide the divorce court judge with a strategy that shows how long they will need to rely on spousal support. In return, the working spouse will pay alimony until the non-working spouse completes their training.

Permanent

Marriages that last decades are dissolved differently in a divorce. After decades of being a homemaker, a spouse may lack the skills, or the physical ability, to pursue a career of their own. In this case, Kentucky law requires that the working spouse pays alimony permanently.

Who Qualifies for Alimony?

Gender is not a consideration when determining whether someone can get alimony. Instead, the judge evaluates the spouse’s financial situation. If the individual can’t be self-sufficient, or if caring for a child prevents them from working full-time, they may qualify for alimony. Once the judge determines that the spouse will need financial support, they will listen to the divorce lawyers to decide which type of alimony to grant.

How Can Alimony Change Under Kentucky Family Law?

You can change an alimony order, but it requires submitting a petition to the court. In the request, you must demonstrate a material change in circumstances, either for yourself or your spouse. The loss of your job, or your spouse’s career promotion, are examples of material changes that would qualify in altering a support order.

Seeking alimony under Kentucky family law requires a hearing to determine if you need the support. An experienced divorce law firm, such as the Law Office of Michael Davidson, PLLC, in Lexington, KY, can help you file a well-drafted petition with the court. Their 30 years of experience allows them to know what factors will work in your favor to help you obtain the best possible outcome. To schedule a consultation, visit them online or call (859) 225-1717.