Alimony Lawyer Crafting Fair Solutions
Marriage requires give and take from both sides. And in many cases that does not stop when the marriage ends. In a divorce in Illinois, alimony, or spousal support is applicable to individuals who need financial support in order to maintain the same standard of living from the other party. If you and your partner are getting a divorce and there is a significant financial inequity, you can petition for alimony support.
I am attorney Sahara Bell from Bell Law Group, and I can provide guidance in these situations.
An Skilled Alimony Attorney Providing Thoughtful Guidance
No matter what side of the alimony issue you are on, you can turn to me at Bell Law Group for knowledgeable and skilled representation. I am an experienced alimony lawyer and I am well-equipped to handle your case. I have an extensive background in navigating family law matters of all kinds in Atlanta, Matteson and across Illinois, including divorce and alimony. I understand Illinois and Georgia alimony laws and the factors family law judges evaluate when making a ruling on this issue. I will take the time to get to know you, understand your situation and, thoroughly prepare your case in support of your petition and aggressively advocate on your behalf at the negotiation table or in court.
What Do I Need To Know About Alimony In Illinois?
Alimony is an issue that must be decided when a divorce is pending. It also may come up in a post-divorce situation where one party seeks to enforce or modify a standing spousal support order. Alimony is usually awarded by the court to a less financially-advantaged spouse by the other spouse providing that the supporting spouse has the ability to pay. Each case is decided on a case-by-case basis according to the unique circumstances of the couple.
As of changes to Illinois law in 2019, the basic formula for the award of spousal maintenance became as follows: 33 percent of the supporting party’s net income minus 25 percent of the receiving party’s net income. However, the amount awarded cannot be more than 40 percent of the combined net income of both spouses.
The duration of alimony is generally based on a percentage of the length of time the couple was married. For example, for couples married less than five years, the percentage is .2 percent of the marriage duration. The percentage for couples married for 10 years is .4 percent. This would amount to payments lasting for 4.4 years. In cases where a couple has been married for 20 or more years, courts have the authority to award alimony on a permanent basis or for a duration equal to the duration of the marriage.
The above are the ground rules for determining alimony. However, many other factors can impact this issue. These factors can range from the spouses’ ages and health conditions, each party’s contributions to the marriage, past, present, and future earning capacities, and more. Where awarded, alimony may be paid on a monthly basis or, where possible, as a lump sum to the receiving spouse.
As a knowledgeable alimony attorney, I can help you navigate this matter and ensure you secure a fair arrangement during divorce, for both sides.
Learn More About Your Situation
If divorce is on the horizon for you and you’re unsure about alimony, from either side, contact me for help and schedule an initial consultation. As an experienced alimony lawyer, I can guide you through the alimony process and any other divorce or family law-related issues. Call (708) 512-5575 or use my online contact form to get in touch. I have offices in Matteson, Illinois and Atlanta, Georgia. I take cases in Chicago, Cook County and Atlanta, Georgia.