Protecting Your Financial Interest through Separation and Divorce

Clients in the midst of separation and divorce are often understandably concerned about their financial well-being and future.  Whether you are the economically dependent or the economically superior spouse, our family law attorney can assist you in understanding alimony and its potential impact in your case, in light of your own unique set of circumstances.     

The State of Maryland recognizes two types of alimony: rehabilitative and indefinite. Rehabilitative alimony is awarded for a defined period of time, and is intended to provide the recipient spouse with an adequate amount of time to obtain the necessary skills or education needed to become as self-supporting as possible.  Maryland courts have trended toward awards of this kind. 

Despite the trend toward awards of a rehabilitative nature, an indefinite alimony award may be appropriate in cases where the recipient spouse receives alimony due to age, illness, infirmity, or disability, cannot reasonably be expected to make substantial progress toward becoming self-supporting; or, even after the recipient spouse has made as much progress toward becoming self-supporting as possible, the respective standards of living of the parties will be unconscionably disparate. 

The court is required to consider twelve (12) factors in determining the amount and period of an alimony award, including but not limited to:

• the duration of the marriage
• the age and health of each party
• the circumstances contributing to the estrangement of the parties
• the standard of living established by the parties during their marriage
• the financial needs and resources of each party
• the monetary and non-monetary contributions of each party to the well-being of the family
• the ability of the party seeking alimony to be wholly or partly self-supporting

Our family law attorney is prepared to negotiate settlements when possible, and when not possible, to present evidence and strong arguments to the court to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.  Whether you are the spouse seeking an alimony award, or the spouse defending against the award, our family law attorney will work diligently and fight to protect your interests.    

Contact our Family Law Attorney

If you are going through a divorce or separation and need advice regarding your future, our family law attorneys are ready to help. We will work with you to define what your goals are and what the best way is to achieve those goals. Contact us today to see how our family law attorney is dedicated in supporting you through the duration of your family law case.