Are you going through the alimony process and need answers? Check out these 4 commonly asked alimony questions and call our Stillwater office today.
1. What is support alimony?
Sometimes when parties are going through a divorce, the question becomes, is support alimony going to be ordered, or is it something that can be requested? Support alimony in the state of Oklahoma is intended to allow one party to transition economically and cushion that economic impact to a state of independence, where they’re going from having been married and potentially financially dependent on the spouse, to a period where they need to be financially independent. Alimony can be awarded to allow that transition to be a little easier. In doing so, the court will consider a number of factors, including the need of the party requesting it and the ability of the other spouse to pay that requested amount. Then there will be a factual evidentiary finding to determine whether any amount should be ordered.
2. Will I have to pay support alimony?
If you’re concerned about whether support alimony will be ordered in your divorce action, whether you’ll be receiving it or whether you’ll be required to pay that alimony, there’s no set formula in the state of Oklahoma.
It’s going to be an analysis based on the financial resources available to both parties, unlike child support, which will be set through a child support calculator guideline table. You’ll have to consult with an experienced divorce attorney to determine whether you will be required to pay support alimony or whether you will be entitled to receive support alimony.
3. How are alimony payments determined in Oklahoma?
If one party in a divorce has made a request for alimony, the question often becomes, how are alimony payments going to be determined? In Oklahoma, it’s generally a factual issue, where the party requesting alimony says they have a need for the financial support, and the other party that would be paying is stating whether they have the ability to pay that financial request. In doing so, the court will assess all of the factors, and it’s important that the party that is requested to pay alimony prepare a budget that will show whether they have the ability to even pay the requested amount. Likewise, the requesting party should prepare a budget of what their monthly expenses are, what their monthly income is, and how this requested amount will help transition them into a state of independence after the divorce proceeds on.
4. How long does alimony last in Oklahoma?
When there’s an alimony award that one spouse pays another support for a period of time, it is not a clear cut determination about how long that will last. It’s a case-by-case factual assessment that we’ll have to assess with your case specifically. What happens is the court needs to at least set what’s considered a sub-certain amount, which will be paid out in a monthly amount, for a period of however many months, as the court orders to conclude with a final, total number. Again, it will be dependent on financial resources and requirements of both parties to the case.
Are you going through the divorce and alimony process and have developed more questions based off of our 4 commonly asked alimony questions?
Contact a Stillwater Alimony Lawyer at Murray Law Firm today for a free confidential consultation and case evaluation.
Let our experience work for you.
Like Us on Facebook