Insights Into How Our Legal System Works

Which Factors Can Affect Your Spousal Support?

15 February 2015 by Yolanda Lane

Laws pertaining to spousal support have evolved during the past couple of years. Indeed, spousal support was systematically granted to the poorer spouses who were involved in a divorce procedure. Yet, things have changed in a significant way since many states have introduced new guidelines concerning spousal support, and how it can be modified. It's important to point that these modifications only apply to long-term marital unions. If you want to find out about the situations that can affect an existing spousal support, then this article is for you.

Did you get remarried?

Spousal support is designed to help individuals who used to be married, and don't have the ability to take care of themselves financially. But if they get remarried, there's no longer a legal basis for the financial assistance they've been receiving, which means that the support should end. As the recipient of the support, you're not required to do anything from a legal standpoint. Indeed, if the other party never finds out that you've got remarried, then you'll keep getting money.

Has the payer's financial situation deteriorated?

Although the U.S. economy has considerably improved in recent months, there still are many people struggling with their finances. If your ex is one of them, then the judge may accept to reduce the burden of their support. The decision will be temporary until the payer's finances improve. Examples of situations leading to financial hardship include:

• Job Loss
• Medical Expenses
• Accumulation of Massive Debt

Is your ex refusing to pay?

Divorces fuel the existing friction between individuals who are ready to part ways. For certain spouses, this friction is more intensified after hearing that the verdict is in the other party's favor. It's not uncommon to see the other party refuse to pay the spousal support despite the court order.

Usually the ex will give the financial assistance for a few months before starting to miss the payment deadlines. When that happens, you must contact your divorce attorney so they can put some pressure on the other party. If the warnings are ignored, your attorney will take your ex back to court, where the judge will decide to put in place wage garnishment, after listening to what the payer has to say.

When it comes to issues involving spousal support, courts typically favor recipients because they know that the money helps poorer individuals start their life over. So unless a special circumstance applies, the court's decision will always go your way. To learn more about spousal support, visit the experts at Ward & Ketchersid PA.

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