Glen Burnie, MD Spousal Support Attorneys

Experienced Spousal Support Lawyers for Clients in Glen Burnie, Maryland

There is no denying that divorce can come with financial struggles. If you have become accustomed to having another income to support you, the loss of that income alongside the legal fees can put a serious strain on your bank account. However, by petitioning for spousal support (also called alimony), you can get the support you need to become financially independent.

A Glen Burnie divorce attorney can assist you in your petition for spousal support, advocating for your needs. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our lawyers have a deep understanding of family law from decades of shared experience, allowing us to effectively advocate for your needs. We can help you build a case for alimony based on your financial circumstances and your future needs after your divorce.

How Does a Judge Decide on Alimony?

There is no set formula to determine whether or not you are eligible for alimony in your divorce. Instead, the judge will evaluate your case individually to see if an award of spousal support is necessary and feasible.

As a rule, spousal support in Maryland is intended to provide the dependent spouse with the means to become self-supporting. A judge may consider the time it will take for a spouse to obtain the necessary training or education to earn a suitable income.

Sometimes, a judge may only award alimony while the divorce proceedings are ongoing—this is known as alimony pendente lite . In most other cases, alimony is awarded for a set period after the divorce has been finalized. However, if a spouse is deemed unlikely to be able to earn a suitable income in the future, the judge could consider an award of indefinite alimony.

Does Spousal Support Affect Property Division in Maryland?

Alimony and property division can directly affect each other in Maryland, since both pertain to financial resources available to a spouse. When deciding whether or not to award alimony, a court of family law can factor in how much marital property a spouse received in the divorce. This means that if you received a significant portion of the marital estate, a judge could decide not to award you with alimony if you have enough resources to support yourself.

At Zide Law Group, LLC, we know how important it can be to secure a favorable settlement or ruling in your divorce. We can represent you in negotiations for marital property and/or spousal support, advocating for a resolution that protects your financial stability.

Can Alimony Be Modified?

An award of alimony may be subject to change if there is good cause to modify the court order. To petition for a modification of alimony, a spouse must prove that there has been a substantial change in financial circumstances. For example, if the spouse receiving support gets a significant raise at their job, there might be grounds to reduce or terminate support obligations.

Another situation in which alimony might be modified is if the paying spouse becomes unable to fulfill their obligations. Common reasons for this include the loss of a job or a debilitating injury. In these cases, the spouse paying support can request a modification to avoid a severe financial burden. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our family law attorneys can speak on your behalf at a hearing for an alimony modification, giving voice to your concerns.

Meet With a Glen Burnie, MD Spousal Support Lawyer

Alimony can be a contentious subject in a divorce. At Zide Law Group, LLC, our Glen Burnie spousal support attorneys can advocate for your best interests, no matter where you stand in the dispute. To schedule an initial consultation today, call our offices at 410-760-9433 or reach out to us online.