Alimony, or spousal maintenance as it is referred to in Arizona, is the monthly amount of money that one spouse may have to pay to support the other both during and/or after the divorce. In order for one spouse to receive spousal maintenance, several statutory factors are considered when determining whether a spouse is entitled to an award of spousal maintenance.
Some of the considerations that the court will make when deciding spousal maintenance awards include:
- Financial resources of both spouses
- Employment status and employment history of the spouse seeking support
- Earning ability of the spouse seeking support
- Reasonable financial needs of both spouses
- The income disparity between the spouses
- Length of marriage
- Age and health of the spouse seeking support
- Standard of living established during the marriage
Spousal maintenance is one of the most highly contested and litigated issues in a divorce or legal separation in Arizona. If you have questions about spousal maintenance or are seeking or defending a claim for spousal maintenance, contact Owens & Perkins at 480.994.8824 for a complimentary one-half (½) hour consultation.
