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How can I make the divorce process as cost-effective as possible?

Helping Clients Navigate Alimony Concerns In The South Metro Area

Spousal maintenance (also known as alimony or spousal support) is available in Minnesota if one of the parties doesn’t have enough income or property to support him or herself. This can leave divorcing couples with many questions. Could spousal maintenance offer them important support after divorce? If their spouse requests alimony, how much will they have to pay? How can they protect their finances?

If you are approaching the divorce process and have questions or concerns about your alimony determination, the dedicated legal professional at Meinerts Law Office, P.A., can help. The firm’s knowledgeable spousal maintenance attorney in Burnsville is ready to help you navigate this process, starting with a no-cost consultation.

How Is Spousal Maintenance Calculated In Minnesota?

Alimony payments are not always required, as many people may think. If you and your spouse are able to come to an agreement on who will pay alimony payments and how much you will pay, this can be proposed to a judge as part of your divorce case.

Unlike child support, there is no formula for determining spousal maintenance. Instead, it is based on factors the court considers about the marriage itself and the ability of each individual spouse to support themselves. A few of the factors considered when making a decision about alimony include:

  • The length of the marriage
  • What each party contributed
  • Each party’s earning capabilities
  • Each party’s education level
  • How long the recipient has been absent from the workforce
  • Opportunities the recipient may have given up during the marriage
  • How long it would take the recipient to be self-supportive
  • The ability of the higher-earning spouse to pay spousal maintenance

If you and your spouse cannot agree on the details of your spousal maintenance arrangement, the decision is typically left up to the judge.

The Two Types Of Spousal Maintenance In Minnesota

Minnesota courts may award different types of spousal maintenance depending on the recipient’s specific needs. These two different types of support include:

  • Temporary or rehabilitative spousal maintenance is paid for a period of time until the recipient completes school or gets back into the workforce.
  • Permanent spousal maintenance is paid for the duration of the recipient’s life and is generally awarded to older dependent spouses who do not have the ability to become self-sufficient.

When ordered, spousal maintenance is not treated as taxable income for the recipient. For more information on navigating your spousal maintenance determination in your divorce, contact our office today.

Schedule A Consultation With Meinerts Law Office, P.A.

Addressing issues of spousal maintenance can be vital for your financial health, and an experienced family law attorney is ready to hear from you. Call 952-208-8500 or contact the firm online to speak with a trusted, award-winning legal professional.