Marianna, FL Divorce Law Firms & Lawyers

Maintenance is a term used for the right of a spouse to receive spousal support while the parties are still married. Alimony is spousal support after a divorce decree is final. Before maintenance will be ordered in a pending divorce case, many courts will require proof that parties are living separate and apart. Generally, the purpose of maintenance and alimony is to ensure an adequate income stream for persons whose economic dependency has resulted from the marriage. Alimony is also intended to improve any economic imbalance in the earning power and standard of living between the spouses. Alimony can be awarded to either spouse. There is a trend to order spousal support less frequently than in the past. This trend is a result of the fact that an increased number of couples have both parties working and there is an increased availability of marital property to be divided and distributed between spouses. Courts have wide discretion in awarding spousal support (maintenance and alimony). An award of spousal support can be in an amount as high as is necessary for the maintenance of the party requesting it. The Arkansas Courts generally consider the following factors in making a determination of whether to award spousal support: A. the financial circumstances of both parties; B. the financial needs and obligations of both parties; C. the couple?s past standard of living; 22 D. the value of jointly owned property; E. the amount and nature of the income, both current and anticipated, of both parties; F. the extent and nature of the resources and assets of each of the parties; G. the amount of income of each that is spendable; H. the amounts which, after entry of decree, will be available to each of the parties for payment of living expenses; I. the earning ability and capacity of both parties; J. property awarded or given to one of the parties, either by the court or the other party; K. the disposition made of the homestead or jointly owned property; L. the health condition and medical needs of both parties; M. the duration of the marriage; and N. the amount of child support awarded. There are certain circumstances warranting an award of alimony. It is certainly not mandatory in divorces. When the factors listed above are present, it is quite common to see an award of alimony. Gender does not make a different. Because more and more women are in the workplace, with high paying jobs, I have seen cases where a stay-at-home father seeks alimony.

Generally speaking, if you and he are in agreement, you indicate that the only community debt is the medical bills in each of your names, and that you will each pay those bills that are for your medical care. You might also say that you will each pay any credit card debt, loan or other obligation that is in your own name, and of which the other party is unaware.

Depends on the state where the marriage occurred. In Florida the marriage you describe is usually considered void from the beginning but the answer really depends on the statute that was in effect at the time of the marriage.