Alimony Attorneys in Hackensack, New Jersey
A divorce may warrant the payment of support to your spouse or the receipt of support from your spouse. These payments are referred to as alimony. Alimony is often an emotionally-charged issue and one of the most complex divorce-related matters to resolve. When you work closely with our attorneys, we will provide a detailed explanation of the options available, helping you make an educated and informed decision regarding alimony. Aronsohn Weiner Salerno & Kaufman P.C. has extensive experience understanding all relevant financial issues regarding alimony, and we are ready to help you assess your options and determine the appropriate statutory factors to guide you through this difficult issue. Contact Aronsohn Weiner Salerno & Kaufman P.C. to discuss your situation with an experienced alimony lawyer today.
Since 2014, the term “permanent alimony” no longer exists. There are four types of alimony in New Jersey that may be considered in your divorce, and they are as follows:
- Open Durational Alimony: This option replaced permanent alimony in 2014. When appropriate, this type of alimony generally applies when the length of the marriage has been at least 20 years. If exceptional circumstances are shown, open durational alimony may be awarded if a marriage lasted less than 20 years. Support is paid with no specific end date, although retirement may trigger either termination or reduction of support. If a dependent spouse ever becomes financially independent or circumstances change, open durational alimony may be terminated or modified by the Court.
- Limited Duration Alimony: When a marriage lasts less than 20 years, limited duration alimony may be ordered by the Court. The judge or Arbitrator will determine how long alimony will be paid at the time the award is ordered. Generally, the term of payment will not exceed the length of the marriage.
- Rehabilitative Alimony: When spouses drop out of the workforce or defer life goals to support the other spouse’s success, he or she may be awarded rehabilitative alimony. When awarded by the Court, rehabilitative alimony supports spouses while they are pursuing the necessary education or retraining to advance their earning potential.
- Reimbursement Alimony: This form of alimony pays back a spouse who paid for the other’s expenses while they went to school or other training.
Statutory Factors Considered in Awarding Spousal Support
When addressing alimony, a number of factors must be considered, including, but not limited to:
- Each spouse’s financial earnings and/or their ability to earn
- The length of the marriage
- The dependent spouse’s needs
- The ability of the paying spouse to provide financial support
- The standard of living established over the course of the marriage
- The age and health of each spouse
- Each spouse’s parental responsibilities
When Does Alimony End?
Generally, alimony ends upon the recipient’s remarriage, the death of either party or an agreed-upon or court-ordered date. Alimony may also end if the individual paying alimony retires at or after reaching the age at which he/she can collect his/her full Social Security benefit. In most cases, the other party generally retains the right, post-divorce, to file an application to amend the alimony obligation based on a multitude of factors.
Contact a Bergen County Alimony Lawyer
If you are getting divorced and alimony is a contested matter, you should contact Aronsohn Weiner Salerno & Kaufman, P.C. Regardless of whether you are the spouse requesting support or the spouse who may pay, we are ready to guide you through your legal matter efficiently and effectively. Our goal is to protect your interests and rights. Aronsohn Weiner Salerno & Kaufman P.C. has over 40 years of experience defending clients in these matters. If you require strong legal guidance for a divorce matter, contact Aronsohn Weiner Salerno & Kaufman P.C. for a consultation with an experienced alimony lawyer.