In Washington, D.C., courts have the power to change or modify spousal support orders – also known as alimony – after a divorce, as long as there is a significant change in circumstances. While the law doesn't provide a specific list, it generally refers to major...
Spousal Support
How cohabitation affects spousal support in Virginia
In Virginia, the receiving party’s living circumstances can significantly influence spousal support arrangements. One such circumstance is cohabitation. This occurs when the party receiving spousal support lives with another person in a relationship similar to...
Determining if you are entitled to spousal support in your divorce
Whether or not it took time to achieve financial stability in a marriage, it is likely to take some time for one or both spouses to adjust to their post-divorce financial situation. In some divorces, it is clear that one spouse is at a greater financial advantage....
What is pendente lite spousal support?
In many Virginia marriages, one spouse earns much more than the other. This poses tremendous problems for the financially disadvantaged spouse if the couple decides to divorce. They can make up some of the difference through property division and spousal support, but...
Can a new relationship end your spousal support?
The outcome of your divorce can reshape your financial positioning for years, sometimes even decades to come. That’s why it’s pivotal that you know how to get the most out of your marriage dissolution, particularly through the property division, child support and...
Virginia spousal support and factors that determine an award
Marriage not only unites the couple legally, but it also combines their home, property and finances. While it might not be split evenly, each spouse has obligations to the other during their union. A divorce severs their union; however, it does not immediately end the...
How does a job change affect spousal support?
Spousal support might be awarded in your divorce if the court thinks that it’s necessary to help you enjoy the marital standard of living until such time as you become self-sufficient. There are many other factors that go into the court’s initial determination, but an...
Determining a spousal support award
There are many items to address when a couple decides to divorce. One important issue is spousal support, also known as alimony. The court may consider several factors when determining how much to award. Factors for consideration The amount of spousal support the...
The basic rules of spousal support in a Virginia divorce
When a Virginia couple decides to end their marriage, one of the first questions each spouse asks is, “Can the court order alimony?” The answer to this question can be frustrating, but the correct answer is, “It depends.” The answer depends upon many factors which...
How long does spousal support last?
If a spouse is a stay-at-home parent during the marriage or does not earn as much as their spouse, they may be entitled to spousal support from their spouse if they get divorced. Courts may award spousal support to people who may need financial support during and/or...