ALIMONY ATTORNEYS IN MANHATTAN, KANSAS

Decades ago, most divorce settlements included alimony. As time passed, alimony became less common, as many marriages featured a two-income household and a no-fault divorce. With every 2.3 people out of every 1,000 inhabitants in Kansas getting divorced, alimony may or may not be a part of your divorce settlement.

When it comes to any matter of divorce or family law, it’s important to have a legal team you can trust to fight for the best outcome for you and your family. Oleen Law Firm is here to help when you need it most. With decades of experience servicing our clients in Manhattan, Junction City, and the rest of Kansas, we’re a team of family law attorneys that puts the law to work for you.

OVERVIEW OF ALIMONY IN KANSAS

Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is assistance through money. It can only occur with people who were once married and are going through and finalizing a divorce. The basis of alimony is that one spouse gives the other financial support so that the receiving spouse can achieve independence. The amount of alimony that is awarded, as well as the type of alimony, is decided by either the courts or the splitting partners.

There are three different types of alimony that can be awarded:

• Temporary - Temporary alimony is alimony that is paid out only during the divorce proceedings.

• Short-Term - Short-term spousal support is also known as rehabilitative alimony. It is usually meant for spouses who can work to become financially independent but need time and financial assistance to find employment. If one spouse is in school or getting job training, this is when short-term alimony could come into play.

• Long-Term - Long-term alimony occurs when it is the only way one spouse can survive after the split. This spousal support will only end if one spouse dies or the receiving spouse remarries.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ALIMONY

In order to be eligible for alimony, both parties must have been married to each other. In addition, one spouse needs the support, and the other spouse must be able to pay it.

DETERMINATION OF TYPE, AMOUNT, AND DURATION

There are many factors that the court considers when granting spousal support in a divorce settlement. These include:

• the length of the marriage

• the standard of living during the marriage that the couple had

• each spouse's age, physical health, and mental condition

• each spouse's financial resources

• the paying spouse's ability to meet personal financial needs while paying spousal support

• both spouse's contributions to the marriage

• how long it will take the supported spouse to acquire the necessary education or training to become employed and financially independent

Spousal support in Kansas typically ends after 121 months, although it can be extended. In a long-term alimony situation, it ends when one spouse dies or the receiving spouse remarries.

CHANGES TO CURRENT ALIMONY AGREEMENT

Alimony agreements, while they may seem final, don’t have to be. If you have an alimony agreement set up and you or your former spouse want to change it, it is possible. In order to try and change the agreement, there needs to have been a material change in circumstance that is relevant to spousal support for one of the parties. Courts are able to reduce spousal support without consent, but cannot increase it.