How Alimony Works In Tulsa, Oklahoma
If you have been married for a significant period and are now seeking a divorce, you may be entitled to continued support to maintain your familiar lifestyle and help you get started in a new direction. Alimony, or spousal support, is a financial arrangement where one spouse pays the other after divorce to address any financial disparity. At Moms.Law our experienced Tulsa divorce attorney knows how alimony works in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and how it can impact your divorce.
You Might Be Eligible for Spousal Support
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is financial assistance paid by one spouse to the other following divorce. It can be paid in monthly installments or as a lump sum, and the terms can be agreed upon by the spouses or determined by the court.
The purpose of alimony is to address any financial imbalance between the spouses that may occur post-divorce. Factors such as the duration of the marriage, the individual incomes of each spouse, and the ability of each spouse to support themselves are considered when determining the amount and duration of alimony.
Do Women Ever Pay Alimony
In keeping with modern sensibilities, Oklahoma law does not award alimony based on gender. Technically, and for the most part practically, spousal support is awarded based on each partner’s role in the marriage. If one partner was financially dependent on the other and developed no means to sustain a similar standard of living without the spouse’s support, courts may award temporary alimony. Courts consider each spouse’s needs, each one’s abilities, and how those needs or abilities are tied to a marriage.
Courts consider the standard of living during the marriage as well, often affording a trailing spouse support sufficient to maintain a familiar standard of living until they can develop resources to live comfortably outside the marriage. If a spouse contributed significantly to developing the other spouse’s career at the expense of their own career, courts may be more likely to order alimony payments until the trailing spouse has an opportunity to develop a new means of support.
Alimony payments are never perpetual though. Spousal support is a means to financially rehabilitate divorcing partners until they can establish new means of support. By Oklahoma law, courts must set an end date for any alimony award. That’s why it’s urgent that your Tulsa family lawyer fully understands not just your current situation but the history of the marriage you are dissolving.
A well-informed spousal support attorney in Oklahoma can help you win the support you need, and in some circumstances, help you avoid being obligated to support your ex-husband.
Determining Alimony Payments
The amount and duration of alimony payments are determined based on various factors, including the length of the marriage and the financial needs of each spouse. Short-term alimony may be awarded to help the receiving spouse transition financially, while long-term or permanent alimony may be awarded if necessary.
Once alimony is ordered, it stops when the receiving party remarries or when the court determines it is no longer equitable or necessary. However, alimony can be modified when there are significant changes in circumstances, such as an increase or decrease in income or living expenses.
Consult with a Tulsa Alimony Attorney
If you’re involved in a divorce and have questions about alimony, it’s essential to seek legal advice from an experienced Tulsa divorce attorney. A knowledgeable attorney at Moms.Law can help you understand your rights and negotiate the terms of your alimony. For a low-cost consultation with a compassionate Tulsa family lawyer, contact Moms.Law at 918-770-7117. We’re here to support you through this challenging time and ensure your financial well-being.