3 Signs That You Might Be Entitled To Spousal Support

If you are thinking about getting a divorce from your spouse, you probably want to ensure that you get everything that you are entitled to during the dissolution of your marriage. You might have already thought about things like the division of marital property and how the money in your joint accounts will be divided, but you might not have thought about spousal support. Often called alimony, spousal support refers to payments that your spouse will pay you after your marriage has ended to help you pay bills and otherwise take care of yourself. These are a few signs that you might be entitled to alimony and that you should talk to a divorce attorney about this option.

1. You are Unable to Work

If you are unable to work, such as if you have a disability, you might have relied on your spouse for support ever since you had to leave the workforce. Now, you might be frightened and unsure of how you are going to support yourself. In this situation, you might be entitled to spousal support to help you take care of yourself.

2. You Need to Prepare Yourself for the Workforce

If you are currently unemployed, it might take some time before you are able to enter the workforce again. For example, you might be looking for spousal support to help you until you are able to find a job, or you might be thinking about going back to school or taking job training so that you can prepare for the workforce. In this type of situation, your spouse might be required to pay spousal support for a set period of time, such as a certain number of months, or until you are able to find full-time employment.

3. You and Your Spouse Had an Agreement

Did you and your spouse have an agreement that you would stay home and not work during your marriage? Many couples have this type of agreement, such as if one spouse decides to stay home and take care of the house and kids. If you had this type of agreement in your marriage, your spouse might be required to pay you alimony for a set period of time.

Spousal support can be a tricky thing, but in some cases, it can be essential in order for a person to continue living the same lifestyle after divorce. If you talk to your divorce lawyer about the details of your case, you can find out more about whether or not this is an option for you.

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