What are the Different Types of Alimony in a Pennsylvania Divorce?
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a type of payment made from one spouse to another to prevent the divorce from completely reducing their standard of living. It is not, however, an automatic entitlement in divorce proceedings. It serves as a way to balance the lower-earning spouse’s finances. When one spouse faces a financial setback following separation or divorce, and the other spouse has the financial capacity to provide assistance, the court may grant alimony to the spouse who would otherwise be financially disadvantaged.
In most cases, alimony is considered temporary in nature and designed to act as a financial bridge during which the recipient spouse becomes self-sustaining. It functions to provide the recipient spouse an opportunity to achieve financial independence through additional education, vocational training, or work experience.
Pendente lite alimony in Pennsylvania
Pendente lite alimony is a type of alimony in Pennsylvania. It is typically referred to as temporary alimony because it is provided during the divorce proceedings. Its function is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain financial stability throughout the divorce process. Often, it acts as a precursor to a final alimony arrangement. Once the divorce is finalized, pendente lite alimony is either changed over to final alimony or it stops altogether.
Post-divorce alimony in Pennsylvania
Post-divorce alimony is financial assistance that is provided after the divorce is finalized. One spouse may be required to provide the other with financial assistance as part of their divorce settlement. The purpose of post-divorce alimony is to ensure that the lower-earning spouse maintains a certain standard of living or financial stability following the end of the marriage. An individual who seeks this form of alimony will have to show that the other spouse has the ability to pay and that they have a genuine need for such alimony. Post-divorce alimony continues until specific conditions are met or the recipient remarries or cohabitates with another person.
Equitable reimbursement
This is not strictly a form of alimony. In Pennsylvania, when one spouse financially supports the other’s education or vocational training but the couple divorces before they finish their training, the judge may award that spouse equitable reimbursement. It is not alimony, but rather, it compensates the supporting spouse for their investment in the other’s education. A judge would assess whether the supporting spouse benefited from increased earning capacity and may order periodic payments if equitable.
How a Pennsylvania divorce lawyer can help
At The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane, we help lower-earning spouses request alimony payments from higher-earning spouses. We also help divorcees modify existing alimony agreements. We can help advocate on your behalf and ensure that you are financially stable after your divorce is finalized.
For more information on alimony, please don’t hesitate to call our office today. We can advise you on other factors such as how child support impacts alimony, and what plan you need in place in order to request rehabilitative alimony. Call our Philadelphia family lawyers today to learn more.
