It can be devastating after you have dedicated everything to being someone’s spouse, only to receive divorce papers decades later. You have forfeited your career, skipped past all potential milestones, and are at the stage in your life where starting again seems impossible. How can you support yourself when you have depended on your spouse for everything during the marriage?
How can I support myself during the divorce?
Depending on certain factors, many in Pennsylvania might expect spousal support. It is financial assistance given to a non-working spouse during the separation and before finalizing the divorce. Your working spouse must provide this to you. Here are other types of support that you may receive:
- Spousal support: Provided after separation before filing for divorce
- Alimony pendente lite (APL): Your working spouse should help you pay for legal expenses if you are a non-working spouse
- Post-divorce alimony: You will receive money after the divorce is finalized, calculated based on your financial needs.
If you have been dependent on your spouse since the start of your marriage, your spouse should provide support until you finalize the divorce. There is also a chance for support to become indefinite if not converted to APL. You or the other spouse may choose to modify it if there is any significant change in financial circumstances.
What are the factors that the court determines for spousal support?
The law credits spouses who have dedicated themselves to supporting the working spouse. Pennsylvania courts consider several factors when determining the amount and duration of spousal support.
- How long have you been married?
- What was your lifestyle during the marriage?
- How much were you earning?
- What were your contributions to the marriage?
- Are you healthy?
Spousal support will depend on the answers to these questions.
It is highly recommended that you take on a dependable and experienced lawyer who understands the difficulty you are going through and strives to get you the best outcome before any legal conversation occurs regarding the divorce.