Suffolk County Spousal Support Attorney

Assisting Clients With Spousal Support Matters in New York

When going through a separation or divorce, making decisions about all the various issues that arise can seem overwhelming — and spousal maintenance can be the most challenging. Regardless of whether you are seeking or defending against spousal maintenance, your financial future depends on the decision that is made. At Montefusco Law Group, our Suffolk County spousal maintenance lawyers have handled hundreds of cases related to divorce and family law. We understand the importance of fair spousal maintenance payments and are committed to fighting for the best outcome of your case.

Spousal Maintenance Basics

New York family law requires that spouses financially support one another during a marriage. Depending on the couple’s situation, this requirement may carry on after divorce. When seeking to change a marital status by a divorce or legal separation, either spouse has the right to file a petition for spousal maintenance. The court will make the final decision for or against spousal maintenance.

Eligibility Criteria for Receiving Spousal Maintenance in New York

A number of factors affect your eligibility to receive spousal support (alimony) in NY, also known as "spousal maintenance."

Typical amounts and length of spousal support in New York vary. Maintenance is usually for a certain period of time. In order to make its decision, the court will evaluate numerous factors, including some of the following:

• Income and property between each spouse. The court will consider each spouse's financial situation. If there is a significant disparity, the chances that the less prosperous will receive support increases, as does the amount of the payments.
• Length of the marriage. Each case is different, but, typically, the longer the marriage, the larger the payment. Spouses who have foregone employment opportunities to stay at home and care for children over the course of many years are particularly well-placed to receive maintenance payments.
• Age and health. If you're older and suffer from major health complications, you may need more financial help. That may sway the court in favor of a higher or lengthier award of support.
• Expected annual earnings. Both present and potential future earnings influence the judge's decision. Although you may be earning very little now, your ability to secure employment in the future may limit the length of maintenance.
• Pursuing further education or training. It takes time to become financially independent. In recognition of that, the courts provide a financial buffer in the form of maintenance but, usually, only for the amount of time it takes to pursue the education or training needed to start a successful career.
• Whether the other spouse interfered with the other to earn a living. Was the marriage marred by domestic violence, or did one spouse demand the other you stay at home? Did he or she impede the other's ability to maintain financial stability or career success in any way? The court will take those factors into consideration.

If a judge rules in favor of granting spousal maintenance, there are three types of spousal maintenance that can be ordered.

Strategies to Secure a Favorable Spousal Maintenance Payment

Going through a divorce can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when it comes to determining spousal maintenance payments. At Montefusco Law Group, Attorneys at Law, we understand the importance of ensuring that our clients receive fair and reasonable spousal maintenance payments. Our experienced Hauppauge attorneys can help you maximize your spousal maintenance payment in the following ways:

• Documenting your expenses: By keeping track of your monthly expenses, including rent/mortgage payments, utility bills, groceries, and medical expenses, we can accurately determine your financial needs and negotiate for a fair spousal maintenance payment.
• Proving your income: We can help you gather documentation of your income, including pay stubs, tax returns, and other financial records to ensure that the court considers your income accurately when determining spousal maintenance payments.
• Negotiating a lump-sum payment: Depending on your financial situation, we can negotiate for a one-time lump-sum spousal maintenance payment instead of monthly payments. This can provide financial stability and reduce the stress of ongoing payments.

Our Suffolk County alimony attorneys are here to help you navigate the complexities of spousal maintenance payments and ensure that you receive fair and reasonable support after your divorce. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Types of Spousal Maintenance in New York

The three types of spousal maintenance are:

• Temporary maintenance - Temporary maintenance ends once the divorce is finalized, at which point a judge can make a final decision concerning spousal maintenance. Just because a spouse was receiving temporary maintenance, it doesn’t mean they will receive permanent maintenance, and vice versa.
• Durational maintenance - If the judge chooses to grant post-divorce support, he may order durational maintenance, which is support that is granted for a fixed period of time to enable the dependent spouse to fulfill necessary needs such as finishing an education program.
• Permanent maintenance - The judge could decide to grant permanent support, which would only come to an end once the dependent spouse remarries or passes away.

For permanent or post-divorce maintenance, there is a fixed formula that will be used to determine the amount awarded to the supported spouse, though this amount can be changed if the court finds it to be “unjust or inappropriate.” If there’s a significant change in circumstances, creating financial hardship, permanent maintenance may be modified or terminated.

In general, spousal maintenance payments will decrease to the extent that you're able to secure a job, earn an independent living, and take care of all dependents. The support will increase to the extent that you'll face an uphill struggle to establish an independent life. Other factors include the division of property during the divorce, child care responsibilities, tax consequences, and even special circumstances that are unique to the case at hand.

Our Suffolk County spousal maintenance lawyers have years of experience successfully representing clients who are seeking spousal maintenance or defending against it. Call Montefusco Law Group today at (631) 801-0007.

Additional Alimony Resources for Suffolk County Residents

• Official website of Suffolk County, NY
• Suffolk County Family Court information