Getting a divorce can create financial anxiety in many people, especially if make more money than your ex-spouse. Most divorces in Rhode Island only award alimony on a temporary basis.
When does Rhode Island grant temporary alimony?
In most cases, alimony awarded by a Rhode Island judge is temporary. Temporary alimony may simply involve a specific number of months. The court may also grant a temporary alimony at the beginning of the divorce proceedings, and the alimony may end when the court makes a final decision regarding the support.
When does Rhode Island grant rehabilitative alimony?
Rhode Island grants rehabilitative alimony until your spouse can support themselves. This need-based alimony typically terminates whenever the spouse finds a job. In some cases, you may experience feelings of frustration because your spouse refuses to get a job. While the court cannot force your spouse to become employed, they can reevaluate the spousal support decision. The court will need evidence that your spouse is not suffering from a mental or physical ailment that is preventing them from obtaining a job.
Does Rhode Island grant permanent alimony?
Rhode Island rarely grants permanent alimony. But in some cases, the court may award alimony to your spouse that will only end if one of you dies or your spouse remarries. The court will consider the following circumstances:
- Age
- Health
- Employment
- Skills
Conduct rarely matters in alimony cases
Whether your spouse had an affair, committed abuse, or suffers from a drug addiction rarely plays a role in alimony decisions. This may not seem fair to you, but the alimony decisions are based primarily on need.
