When a couple gets divorced, one spouse may be required to provide the other with financial support during and after the divorce process. This type of support is referred to as alimony, or spousal support. In Pennsylvania, alimony is designed to ensure that a financially dependent spouse is not unfairly burdened by the termination of the marriage. Understanding the different types of alimony is crucial for any divorcing couple in Pennsylvania. Continue reading and consult with a Montgomery County divorce lawyer today for more information and legal representation.
What is Alimony?
Alimony, spousal support, or spousal maintenance is a court-ordered financial support that one spouse may pay to the other after a separation or divorce. The main purpose is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a standard of living similar to the one they grew accustomed to during the marriage and to help them transition into their new financial reality. Alimony allows the dependent spouse to stay afloat while working toward becoming financially independent.
Spousal support is not automatic or guaranteed in Pennsylvania. Instead, it is awarded on a case-by-case basis depending on the details of the relationship. The court has the authority to award alimony and set the terms at its discretion.
What Are the Different Types of Alimony in PA?
There are generally three types of alimony recognized by Pennsylvania law. Each one serves a different purpose and may or may not apply at different times during the divorce process. Consider the following.
- Spousal support: Under PA law, spouses are required to financially support one another if they have the ability to. Spousal support generally refers to payments made by one spouse to another during the separation period, but before the couple has filed for divorce. It helps the lower-earning spouse continue to pay bills and afford their living expenses while legally separated and living apart from their spouse.
- Pendente lite alimony: Pendente lite, Latin for “pending litigation,” is financial support that is awarded during the divorce process, after the couple has filed the papers but before the divorce is finalized. Pendente lite ensures that both parties have the financial ability to afford their life as well as legal representation during the divorce process. This allows both spouses an equal opportunity to participate in the legal process and defend themselves regardless of their individual financial situations.
- Post-divorce alimony: Post-divorce alimony is financial support awarded after the divorce has been finalized. It is intended to support a spouse who does not have the income or earning capacity required to allow them to meet their needs. The court considers a variety of factors when determining whether to award post-divorce maintenance and how much, including the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s income and earning abilities, contributions made to the marriage, the age and health of both spouses, the standard of living during the marriage, and more.
Courts also have the ability to award reimbursement alimony to make up for financial or other contributions made by one spouse toward the other’s education or career. The various types of alimony are designed to ensure that each spouse is taken care of at every step of the divorce. To learn more, reach out to an experienced family lawyer today.
