If you and your spouse are divorcing in Indiana, you may be wondering if you will be eligible to receive any money from your ex as part of the divorce settlement. Known as spousal support or alimony, this typically occurs if one spouse has stayed home to raise a family or makes significantly less money and will not be able to support him or herself after the divorce. Unlike child support, alimony is not a given and, if a court orders it, it is often on a temporary basis.
How does a court determine if, and how much, spousal support is necessary? FindLaw discusses the factors involved with this decision. A court may reward one spouse with support to keep up a standard of living or help develop education and skills to be self-sufficient. Some things the judge considers when determining the amount of money and time for alimony payments include:
- Number of marriage years
- The physical condition, age, mental condition and financial state of each spouse
- The standard of living during years together
- The ability of the payer to support both the ex-spouse and self
- Amount of time for payee to become self-sufficient
How long does a spouse typically pay for alimony? Live About discusses there are four different types of spousal support. One is temporary, in which payments are only made until the divorce becomes final. Rehabilitative support is the most common, in which the payer doles out alimony for a pre-determined amount of time. For spouses who were in a marriage of over 10 or 20 years, the court may order permanent support which lasts until the recipient remarries or either spouse dies. A judge may also order reimbursement support, which is payback for expenses paid for schooling or other professional training.
