Grand Rapids Spousal Support Attorney
Divorce can bring significant shifts to your finances. When you face these concerns, you deserve an attorney who knows how tough going through a divorce can be.
Toburen Law PLC provides caring and effective legal help that fits your specific situation, whether you need spousal support or your spouse has requested support as part of your divorce. Attorney Mike Toburen is ready to help clients throughout the west Michigan region with knowledge, support and understanding.
What Are The Types Of Spousal Support?
Spousal support, also known as alimony, helps provide financial stability to a spouse after a divorce. It typically comes into play when there is a significant difference in income between the spouses.
In Michigan, the court can grant different types of spousal support based on the couple’s situation. These include:
- Alimony in gross – Sometimes called “lump sum alimony,” this type of support involves a fixed sum.
- Temporary periodic spousal support – This support helps the lower earning spouse pay for living expenses and legal costs for a specific period of time. It may also help the receiving spouse financially adjust to life after the divorce or offer support for a time so they can find a job or get the training or education they need to reenter the workforce.
- Permanent periodic spousal support – For long marriages with big differences in earning ability that might not change, permanent support helps maintain the lower earning spouse’s lifestyle long term. This support usually continues until the recipient remarries or one of the spouses dies.
Each type of support has a specific purpose, from helping a spouse become independent to addressing long-term income differences. Payments can be ongoing, or the paying spouse may pay a specific amount in a lump sum.
How Do Courts Determine The Amount Of Spousal Support?
In Michigan, there is not a specific formula for calculating alimony payments. Instead, the court considers many factors when deciding on spousal support. These include the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial needs and abilities, the lifestyle during the marriage and each spouse’s earning capacity.
Do You Qualify For Spousal Support?
The answer varies on a case-by-case basis. A judge will assess the issue by looking at several factors, including:
- Whether both people can work
- Each spouse’s age, health and needs
- How much each person will receive during property division
- The duration of your marriage
- The standard of living during your marriage
If you wonder whether spousal support could be a factor in your life after divorce, speak to a knowledgeable attorney to understand your options.
What Happens If Your Spouse Refuses To Pay Spousal Support?
If your spouse refuses to pay the required spousal support payments, you should take immediate legal action. You can ask the court to enforce the order.
The court might take several steps to enforce the order. These can include garnishing wages, seizing property or holding the noncompliant spouse in contempt of court.
If Your Situation Changes, Support Can Change, Too
Life changes, and sometimes the spousal support that was first set up might not fit anymore. In Michigan, either spouse can ask the court to change the spousal support terms if their financial situation changes. This can include changes in income, job status or even marital status.
For example, if your former spouse remarries or your children no longer need a full-time adult at home, they will need less to support their household. In that case, a judge may determine you are no longer required to contribute spousal support.
Take The First Steps Toward Receiving Spousal Support
Getting spousal support in Michigan starts with filing for divorce. During the divorce, you can ask for spousal support. The court will look at many factors to decide if you qualify and how much you should get. Having a knowledgeable attorney can make this process smoother and improve your chances of a good result.
Schedule A Consultation
Understanding spousal support can be complex, and every case is different. Let Toburen Law PLC guide you through your spousal support issues with the expertise and care you deserve. Contact the Grand Rapids office of Toburen Law PLC today to schedule a consultation by calling 616-818-1842 or reaching out online.