In Idaho, family courts may sometimes order alimony payments from one spouse to another after a divorce. The point of these payments is so that both spouses can support themselves and maintain their lifestyles as much as possible.
Alimony disagreements can be some of the most contentious divorce issues, which is why you need a Meridian family lawyer to advocate for you. Our attorneys collectively share decades of experience in family law and can help you navigate alimony issues and disputes. We can help you negotiate agreements or enforce or modify existing agreements.
Contact our offices online or call today to speak to an alimony lawyer in Meridian.
Why You Need a Family Lawyer
Regardless of whether divorce is collaborative or not, issues like alimony or child support are fraught with emotion and can cause high tension. When the law intersects with the personal sphere, having a lawyer on your side can be an invaluable asset.
Your attorney can provide clarity and represent your interests in all family law issues. They can attend hearings with you and help negotiate agreements regarding spousal support, child custody, and property division.
Brown Family Law has been a reliable source of legal representation for over 15 years. Let us show you why thousands of clients have chosen to work with us through their family matters. Contact us today.
Get Clear Guidance for Your Divorce
How Does Alimony Work in Idaho?
Alimony, also known as spousal support in Idaho, consists of monetary payments one spouse makes to another. When two people get divorced, if there is a significant gap in incomes between the two, a judge may order the higher-earning spouse to make support payments to the other.
The point of these payments is so that the lower-earning spouse can support themselves independently. A judge may order that alimony be paid when one spouse earns significantly more than the other or has substantially more assets.
A Calmer, Clearer Way Through Divorce
Will I Have to Pay Spousal Support After Divorce?
Spousal support serves to let each spouse maintain their current lifestyle after divorce, or as close to it as possible. If any of the following are true in your situation, then a judge may create a spousal support order:
- One spouse has a significantly higher income than the other.
- A spouse has substantially more assets (e.g., stocks, real estate, etc.).
- One spouse took time off from their career to raise the children.
- One spouse will require education or training to find employment.
- The higher-earning spouse is capable of supporting the lower-earning spouse.
If you are unsure about whether your divorce will result in alimony payments, you can discuss your case with a spousal support lawyer in Meridian from Brown Family Law.
Types of Support Payments
In Idaho, there are three general types of spousal support payments:
Temporary Support
Temporary support is paid to the lower-earning spouse while the divorce is underway. The divorce process can take months or years, and spouses may need immediate support while a long-term deal is hammered out.
Rehabilitative Support
Rehabilitative support is paid after a divorce and is meant to support one spouse while they receive education and training to earn an income. During divorce proceedings, a judge will ask the receiving spouse to show a plan for becoming financially independent and base rehabilitative support timeframes on that.
Permanent Support
Permanent support involves permanent alimony payments and may be ordered in rare cases where the other spouse cannot work due to age or health. Despite the name, permanent support can stop if the receiving spouse remarries.
Calculating Spousal Support in Meridian
Unlike some states, Idaho doesn’t have a specific formula or calculation for determining alimony payment amounts. Instead, courts and judges have discretion to set payment amounts on a case-by-case basis. Below are some of the most relevant factors determining spousal support payments:
- The length and quality of the marriage
- The presence of fault or wrongdoing
- The needs of the lower-earning spouse
- The capacity of the higher-earning spouse to pay
- The contribution to each other’s education or careers
- Each spouse’s current standard of living
- The age and health of each spouse
Modifying an Existing Order for Spousal Support
Spousal support orders are not immutable and can be subject to change. Certain life events can justify revisiting an existing support order, such as illness, changing employment, or relocating to a different area.
In order to modify an existing order for support, your Meridian spousal support lawyer can file a petition with the courts and demonstrate that there has been some substantial change in circumstances warranting a modification. After attending a hearing, a judge will decide whether to grant the new order or not.
Contact a Meridian Spousal Support Attorney Today
At Brown Family Law, we believe in a smarter way to do divorce. We take a strategic and measured approach to divorce matters with the goal of preserving your and your family’s dignity and privacy. You can count on us to think of creative and novel solutions to your legal problems.
Send us a message online or call today to schedule an appointment with our alimony attorneys in Meridian.
