Family law
Spousal Support
Spousal support — sometimes called alimony — may be awarded when there is a significant disparity between the parties' incomes or earning capacities, and when other equitable factors support an award.
Overview
What to understand about spousal support.
Unlike child support, Michigan does not use a fixed formula for spousal support. Courts consider a range of statutory factors including the length of the marriage, each party's earning capacity, the standard of living during the marriage, the contributions of each spouse, and the ages and health of the parties.
Spousal support may be temporary (during the divorce) or permanent (post-judgment). It may be modifiable or non-modifiable, depending on what the parties agree to or the court orders.
Who this serves
- ●Spouses with a significant income disparity
- ●Those who sacrificed career advancement during the marriage
- ●Long-term marriages with financial dependence issues
- ●Those evaluating property division and support tradeoffs
Common issues
What these matters typically involve.
- Duration and amount of support
- Temporary vs. permanent support
- Modifiability provisions
- Tax implications of support
- Support in conjunction with property division
- Modification after judgment
Process
How these matters proceed.
Spousal support is negotiated between the parties or determined by the court after consideration of the statutory factors. The terms — amount, duration, and modifiability — are matters of negotiation or judicial determination based on the specific facts.
How the firm approaches this
Quist Homier Law on spousal support.
The firm analyzes spousal support questions in the context of the full financial picture of the marriage, including property division options and each party's earning capacity. The attorneys help clients understand the realistic range of outcomes and the tradeoffs between support and other settlement terms.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about spousal support.
No. Spousal support is not automatic. It is awarded based on the facts of the case and the statutory factors. Many divorces do not involve spousal support.
These answers are provided for general informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. The law varies by jurisdiction and by the specific facts of each situation. Contact the firm to discuss your matter.
Attorneys who handle this
Related services
Discuss your spousal support matter with the firm.
Contact Quist Homier Law to understand your options. No representation is accepted through this form.
Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential or time-sensitive information.