It’s not unusual for couples in a marriage to make sacrifices for each other or their family – and that can include one spouse giving up their financial independence for the sake of the couple’s children or the other spouse’s career.
This is where rehabilitative alimony may come into play. If a couple divorces after one spouse put their own career on hold during the marriage by agreement, the court may award that spouse financial support from the other – for a time.
It generally requires a plan for self-support
Rehabilitative alimony isn’t meant to last forever. It’s only meant to allow the financially dependent spouse the time and resources necessary to get back into the workforce and become self-supporting.
In some cases, this may mean simply giving the dependent spouse alimony until they can find a job that pays enough to cover their living expenses. In others, the dependent spouse may be awarded alimony while they go through training to update their skills or obtain additional education so that they can be competitive in the job market.
The court will generally ask the dependent spouse to have a plan for achieving self-support since this type of alimony is intentionally limited – although it is important to note that the court may consider the ability of a stay-at-home parent to work a full-time schedule while the children of the marriage are particularly dependent upon their care. That factor can extend the alimony period considerably.
When you’re in a marriage, you’re in a partnership. When you’re getting divorced, you’re suddenly on your own. Seeking qualified legal assistance can make sure that you are not put at a severe disadvantage because you either need to receive or pay spousal support.