Philadelphia Alimony Lawyer
When considering all of the disputes that can arise in a Pennsylvania divorce case, alimony is probably the most hotly contested and acrimonious. State laws allow either party to request spousal support, and a court will often award it when appropriate for a lower earning party. However, the details regarding amount, type, and duration are complicated when emotions also play a role.
The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane is prepared to take on challenges with alimony questions. Our founder has more than 38 years of experience representing parties on both sides of spousal support disputes, so we are dedicated to obtaining a favorable outcome. Please contact us to schedule a consultation with a Philadelphia alimony lawyer. An overview of the basics is also valuable.
Summary of Pennsylvania Spousal Support Laws
There is no right to alimony, and the statute provides that it will only be granted where reasonable and necessary. As mentioned, support is intended to level the financial imbalance that would exist between the parties after the divorce case concludes. Some additional points are also informative:
To request alimony, a party in a divorce case must file a petition outlining why it is necessary and asking the court to grant it. The other spouse will have the opportunity to respond and defend against the request.
Pennsylvania law allows for alimony pendente lite, which is support for one spouse while the divorce case proceeds. A petition is still required, and the judge will review the need before approving it.
The question of alimony does not need to go before the court if the parties enter into an agreement on spousal support.
Factors Impacting Alimony
If the parties must go through a contested hearing on the subject of spousal support, the judge is required to apply certain factors that are listed in Pennsylvania’s alimony statute.
- The length of the marriage;
- Each party’s age, physical, and mental health;
- Whether one spouse gave up opportunities or contributed to the earning potential of the other;
- The relative needs of the parties;
- Whether the spouse requesting alimony could become self-sufficient through employment;
- What training or education would be required to help the lower earning spouse in becoming self-supporting;
- The presence of marital misconduct during the marriage; and,
- Many others.
Note that reviewing these factors is also helpful when negotiating an agreement on alimony. When the parties know what the statute says, they have a framework for discussions and working toward compromise.
Legal Assistance with Spousal Support Cases
Regardless of whether you want to consider an agreement or must address alimony at a contested hearing, the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane is dedicated to protecting your rights. We will be at your side if you are seeking spousal support, but we will defend your interests if you could be paying it.
A Pennsylvania alimony attorney can assist with:
- Assessing your financial situation;
- Developing a strategy for either side of the spousal support issue;
- Filing a petition for alimony or alimony pendente lite;
- Submitting a response to a petition filed by your spouse;
- Negotiations toward working out an agreement on alimony;
- Advocating on your behalf during mediation; and,
- Fighting for your rights in a contested hearing on spousal support.
Get Legal Help from a Philadelphia Alimony Lawyer
As you can see from this overview, spousal support laws are complicated and incorporate a wide range of factors. Legal representation is essential for protecting your interests in disputes, so please contact the Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane to learn how we can help. We are happy to set up a case evaluation with a Pennsylvania alimony attorney who can provide personalized advice.
